“Ursula” is a study of sexual love and the mysterious power of virginity based on the tenth century legend of Saint Ursula who undertook a journey down the Rhine in the company of 10,000 virgins to break off a betrothal after a vision of Christ. In Barker's retelling of the narrative, their journey ends tragically when the group's spiritual leader becomes entwined in a passionate but forbidden liaison with the jilted prince. Powerful poetic language, provocative ideas and rich, dark humour build an epic, erotic study of what virginity means, the power it exerts and the price it demands.
