Lizzie Siddall (NHB Modern Plays)

A gripping historical drama charting one woman's dazzling trajectory from model to lover to artist, to a tragic figure in her own right. London, 1849. Lizzie Siddal is plucked from the obscurity of a bonnet shop to model for the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood - an intoxicating group of young painters bent on revolutionising the Victorian art world. Inspired by their passion and ambition, she throws herself headlong into their lives and their art, nearly dying in the creation of Millais' Ophelia. The painting is a triumph. But Lizzie wants more and dares to dream of being an artist herself. Lizzie Siddal premiered at the Arcola Theatre, London, in November 2013. 'This is drama of the highest order, by turns funny, clever, provocative, infuriating, sad and enlightening' - BroadwayWorld.com'Jeremy Green's vigorous, entertaining and ultimately haunting play' - Libby Purves, Theatre Cat'does a great service in putting [this] little known story on stage' - Time Out'peppered with laughs... [a] tale of art, idealism and romantic disillusion and disappointment' - The Arts Desk'remarkable... makes important arguments about the subservience of women in art' - Londonist'fascinating... [tackles] the still-relevant issue of how women's artistic achievements are often overshadowed by men's' - Evening Standard