Trojan Women
Trojan Women
By Peter McGarry
Eyewitness Theatre Company, Manchester, UK
Orange Venue, 2010 Orlando International Fringe Festival</strong>
http://www.eyewitnesstheatre.co.uk
Troy has fallen, the Greeks won, and it’s time to clean up. The Greeks ships are full of Trojan gold, and now they pile women atop the loot. The men are dead and bodies litter the city, and the Greeks need to leave before the stench kills then in turn. Women are spoils of war, and only three are saved from the general rape and slavery. Cassandra (Gemma Flannery) is young and daughter of the Trojan king, and Greek king Agamemnon likes young women. Her mother Andromache (Suzanne Roche) will go to some high officer as a concubine or slave, and Helen (Carly Tarett) – well, she started the whole thing, and killing her would make the whole war sort of pointless, not that wars always have a point. As the three wander the gloomy cavern of the Orange Venue, they bemoan their fate and hurl insults at each other. Cassandra always knew what would happen; she’s the seer that no one believes. Andromache hurls invectives at Helen, calling her slut and whore and parading the morality of a woman who was always true, and felt damage from another’s infidelity. She’s also denying her own reality, her infant child is gone but she won’t admit that. Helen is serenely calm, awaiting her fate, which is much better than she hopes, were she only to listen to Cassandra.
This modern adaptation of the classic takes some liberties with orginal text, and while Greek drama tends to run in circles, repeating and detaining its main points repeatedly, the show flows along creating sympathy for these women, even if they get a bit repetitious. The Northern accents feel a bit odd in this classic, Ms Tarett sounds Scotts, and as her emotions build, the accent increases, making her final speech reminiscent of the McTarry Clan funeral in “Casino Royale.” Still, this is a respectable adaptation, and will count as 3 credit hours on the final exam.
N.B. There are TWO versions of Trojan Women at this year’s Fringe. Make sure to check your tickets for the correct location and show time.
This event is part of the 2010 Orlando International Fringe Festival. For schedule and ticket information, please visit http://OrlandoFringe.org
