Last Thursday night Stuart and I went to see Rupert Goold's
modern dress production of Medea at the Almeida Theatre in London's glitzy
Islington.
Euripides’ seminal play tells of Medea’s marriage break up
and cuts to the heart of gender politics asking what it means to be a woman and
a wife.
One of world drama's most infamous characters is brought to
new life by Kate Fleetwood and fresh words by award-winning feminist writer
Rachel Cusk.
On the stage the action tests the limits of revenge and
liberty. But for us, sadly it didn't test those limits quite far enough. The play is about the lengths
that someone will go to seek revenge. Even as far as infanticide. But here we
felt we were cheated of that ulitmate deed. We are left feeling deeply sorry
for, but not really appauled by the depth of Medea's feelings. Sure she had
been wronged but I think the point of the play is that Medea feels so
powerless that she has to commit murder to take back some control of her life. Here though Medea
was just left abandoned and floating in sadness. She had no control.
The National Theatre production starring the wonderful Helen
McCrory last year did it much better.
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