Medea
Fri, 23 Mar 2012, 10:08 amGordon the Optom2 posts in thread
Medea
Fri, 23 Mar 2012, 10:08 am‘Medea’ is the ancient Greek tragedy, written by Euripides in 431 BC, and is based around the myth of Jason and Medea. It was awarded the third place prize at the Dionysia Festival two millennia ago. This contemporary version of the famous play is being presented by Class Act Theatre in the Subiaco Arts Centre Studio,
180 Hamersley Road, Subiaco. The 90-minutes performances start at 7.30 pm and run nightly until Saturday, 31st March. To help students with this year’s set book, there are several school matinees at 10.00 am and 2.00 pm.
The nurse (Janet Pettigrew) of Jason and Medea’s children is very concerned about the latest news; she prays to Aphrodite and explains the situation to us.
After his adventures of the Golden Fleece, Jason (Andy Blaikie) has taken Medea (Angelique Malcolm) back to Corinth. Here, despite the fact that she saved Jason from the dragon guarding the fleece, he leaves this simple woman from the slums and runs off to marry into royalty. Jason’s bride-to-be is the young and beautiful daughter of King Creon (Stephen Lee), Glauce (Anna Brockway) - known in Latin as ‘Creusa’. Jason points out to Medea how they now live in the upmarket area, Hellas, and promises Medea financial support. He hopes that the three of them will get on well, and that they will all eventually live together in perfect harmony. Medea is not amused. Shamed, feeling used and devastated she becomes unpredictable, and her nurse is worried that she may even commit suicide or kill her children. When King Creon hears of the situation, he is determined to banish Medea. Jason makes no move to support his wife or argue her case.
Aegeus, King of Athens (Stephen Lee) is worried by his lack of heirs, being puzzled why the Oracle did not give him better guidance. Medea promises to help him ‘obtain’ heirs, if Aegeus gives her sanctuary when she is exiled. He promises her shelter on the provision that she can reach Athens unaided.
Meanwhile Medea plots to kill King Creon and his dishonourable daughter, Glauce. On finding a family heirloom, a set of golden robes that were a gift from Helios, the Sun God, she poisons the material in the hopes that Jason’s bride will be tempted to wear them, and die.
Medea decides to murder her children, for no other reason than to upset Jason. Revenge for his lack of love and appreciation.
When Jason calls around, Medea falsely expresses regret at her previous behaviour, gives him the poisoned robes with her children carrying the gift. Later a messenger tells how the plan has worked beautifully, and the King and Princess have died ‘with their limbs consumed with fire’. Medea then goes on to kill her sons by stabbing them to death and so stopping any chance of Jason’s progeny.
As Jason finds his children have been killed, the pro-feministic Medea reappears, revelling at her husband’s suffering in an unjust society. (Filicide was Euripides' creative licence, the children having actually been killed by the Corinthians).
The set was a simple square on the hardwood floor, delineated by a trail of cast-off clothes. The garments were both items of dress and later symbolically represented the children of the city. Two simple, grey school shirts most effectively portrayed Jason’s children. Although the set was simple, the excellent lighting by Joe Lui and Adam Trainer’s sound effects, which included the creepy voice of Medea’s conscience, helped capture the powerful atmosphere. The costumes by Chaka were well thought out, and clearly defined the players who had multiple parts.
By making this play contemporary, the dialogue is clear and the script extremely easy to follow. Any students studying this book should see this production to gain a full understanding of the complex emotions. The love, hate, jealousy are beautifully presented by a strong cast under Michelle Trainer’s direction.
‘Medea’ is the ancient Greek tragedy, written by Euripides in 431 BC, and is based around the myth of Jason and Medea. It was awarded the third place prize at the Dionysia Festival two millennia ago. This contemporary version of the famous play is being presented by Class Act Theatre in the Subiaco Arts Centre Studio,
180 Hamersley Road, Subiaco. The 90-minutes performances start at 7.30 pm and run nightly until Saturday, 31st March. To help students with this year’s set book, there are several school matinees at 10.00 am and 2.00 pm.
The nurse (Janet Pettigrew) of Jason and Medea’s children is very concerned about the latest news; she prays to Aphrodite and explains the situation to us.
After his adventures of the Golden Fleece, Jason (Andy Blaikie) has taken Medea (Angelique Malcolm) back to Corinth. Here, despite the fact that she saved Jason from the dragon guarding the fleece, he leaves this simple woman from the slums and runs off to marry into royalty. Jason’s bride-to-be is the young and beautiful daughter of King Creon (Stephen Lee), Glauce (Anna Brockway) - known in Latin as ‘Creusa’. Jason points out to Medea how they now live in the upmarket area, Hellas, and promises Medea financial support. He hopes that the three of them will get on well, and that they will all eventually live together in perfect harmony. Medea is not amused. Shamed, feeling used and devastated she becomes unpredictable, and her nurse is worried that she may even commit suicide or kill her children. When King Creon hears of the situation, he is determined to banish Medea. Jason makes no move to support his wife or argue her case.
Aegeus, King of Athens (Stephen Lee) is worried by his lack of heirs, being puzzled why the Oracle did not give him better guidance. Medea promises to help him ‘obtain’ heirs, if Aegeus gives her sanctuary when she is exiled. He promises her shelter on the provision that she can reach Athens unaided.
Meanwhile Medea plots to kill King Creon and his dishonourable daughter, Glauce. On finding a family heirloom, a set of golden robes that were a gift from Helios, the Sun God, she poisons the material in the hopes that Jason’s bride will be tempted to wear them, and die.
Medea decides to murder her children, for no other reason than to upset Jason. Revenge for his lack of love and appreciation.
When Jason calls around, Medea falsely expresses regret at her previous behaviour, gives him the poisoned robes with her children carrying the gift. Later a messenger tells how the plan has worked beautifully, and the King and Princess have died ‘with their limbs consumed with fire’. Medea then goes on to kill her sons by stabbing them to death and so stopping any chance of Jason’s progeny.
As Jason finds his children have been killed, the pro-feministic Medea reappears, revelling at her husband’s suffering in an unjust society. (Filicide was Euripides' creative licence, the children having actually been killed by the Corinthians).
The set was a simple square on the hardwood floor, delineated by a trail of cast-off clothes. The garments were both items of dress and later symbolically represented the children of the city. Two simple, grey school shirts most effectively portrayed Jason’s children. Although the set was simple, the excellent lighting by Joe Lui and Adam Trainer’s sound effects, which included the creepy voice of Medea’s conscience, helped capture the powerful atmosphere. The costumes by Chaka were well thought out, and clearly defined the players who had multiple parts.
By making this play contemporary, the dialogue is clear and the script extremely easy to follow. Any students studying this book should see this production to gain a full understanding of the complex emotions. The love, hate, jealousy are beautifully presented by a strong cast under Michelle Trainer’s direction.