DAY 8

Class:

We discussed the next three plays we will be seeing in class today, but for simplicity’s sake, I will only include one for each of the next few days.

Jean Racine’s Phedre was the main play on the agenda. Professor Clum filled us in on some of the mythology behind the story, which the audience seeing the play in the 1600s would have been experts on. The most important point was that Hippolytus, a main character in the play, is the son of Theseus and Hippolyta (who are married at the end of A Midsummer Night’s Dream).

Overall, the production we will be seeing is going to be very different than the production that was put on in the 1600s. First of all, the play is originally in French, and Racine wrote in a style called Alexandrian Hexameter. This style was very formal and virtually impossible to translate, so it was not preserved in the translation. Furthermore, the type of acting in this play was entirely different back then, as actors assumed certain poses for specific emotions that were learned from a textbook. This is certainly not what acting is today. Finally, the play would have been done in a series of entertainment pieces lasting a full day, as opposed to the two hour straight production that we will be seeing.

Show:

Phedre at the Lyttelton Theater

Without a doubt, this was a tragedy in the strictest sense. From the moment she steps at stage, Helen Mirren (Phedre) effectively presents a character who is an emotional trainwreck, and powerful performances from the supporting cast make for an extremely dramatic conclusion. Stanley Townsend (Theseus) has a deep, booming voice fit for a king, and from the moment he steps on stage, the drama seems to really pick up. The heated confrontation between he and Dominic Cooper (Hippolytus) might well be the highlight of the show.

Visually, the set was simple and effective, allowing for interesting exits and set interactions. The water spout, entrance ramp, and ledge all were important parts of the action, and I can’t imagine a better set for this play. Overall, the production really brought the script to life, and most of us seemed to agree that it was a much more enjoyable viewing experience than a read.

Quote of the Day:

Nate (arguing over 26 pound tab): If you don’t fix this, I’m going to give you 20 pounds and leave.

Restaurant owner: You’ll never make it to the door.

~ by danlerman on June 22, 2009.