THE 1041C Theater Reviews

The performance of “Medea” accomplished the purpose of capturing the emotional aspect of the Greek tragedy. While this statement may seem only to be an indication of the caliber of the actors, it is not. Many factors go into conveying to the audience the emotional aspect of the characters on stage.

The stage setup for the performance included an empty center stage and two room compartments on opposite sides of the stage. The bare center stage is especially conducive when it comes to accenting the character portrayals. By having the actors perform in a completely open space devoid of props, the acting becomes that much more note worthy. For example, when King Creon confronts Medea about the rumors of revenge and Medea casts a suspicious look on the chorus member, both Medea’s suspicions and the chorus member’s innocence are clearly expressed. By eliminating the distractions of an overly elaborate stage setup, the director allows for the actors’ performance to take on a louder tone.

When the tutor first appeared on stage with the two masks, it was difficult to perceive the props as children. But as the characters on stage interacted with the masks as if they were children, Medea, stroking the mask as if it was her own child, and the tutor, telling the children to be quiet, I started seeing the masks as children as well. At the climax, when Medea reappears with the bodies of her children, I was able to clearly see the bodies of two small children, with blood running from their mouths and eyes.

Overall, I found the dramatic reading of “Medea” to be an enjoyable experience. The director’s decisions and the actor’s skills created a very strong synergy that captured my attention all throughout the play.