TANTALUS: BEHIND THE MASK

Fifteen years in the writing, seven months in rehearsal, and over ten hours in the playing, Sir Peter Hall's production of John Barton's epic play cycle "Tantalus" premiered at the Denver Center For the Performing Arts. The production brought together an outstanding international cast, a Greek designer, a Japanese lighting designer, an American choreographer, and an Irish composer to create one of the most extraordinary and ambitious theatrical journeys undertaken in world theater.

The feature-length documentary employs the text and action of Barton's stage play as a metaphor for all that goes on behind the scenes in mounting this historic world-premiere event. Interweaving brilliant performances with intimate backstage footage -- from the dedication, love, fear, faith, joy, trials, and triumph shared by the cast and crew, to the heart-breaking creative tensions between Peter Hall and John Barton.