Theatre Studies Presents Classic Anti-War Greek Drama The Trojan Women Through Nov. 15
The Department of Theatre Studies will present its fall production, Euripides’ classic drama The Trojan Women, on Nov. 7-8 and Nov. 13-15. All performances will take place in Sternberger Auditorium (located in Founders Hall), starting at 8 p.m. each evening.
The Greek tragedy takes place in the days following the fall of Troy, exploring the aftermath through the eyes of several of the defeated city-state’s female citizens, such as the former queen Hecube and Helen of Troy.
“We came to The Trojan Women, really, because it speaks to the state of the world, as it has always spoken in times of turmoil,” says Professor of Theatre Studies David Hammond, who directs the production. “It's about the folly of aggression and conquest, and the power of the human spirit to survive even in devastation. And it asks us just how much we are willing to overlook, how many compromises we are willing to make, to avoid disturbing our peace of mind.”
Euripides (c. 480-406 B.C.E.) was one of the greatest tragic playwrights of ancient Athens. Of the more than 90 plays he is believed to have written, 18 survive, including Medea and Electra. He wrote The Trojan Women shortly after Athens sacked the city of Melos in 416 B.C.E. The play completed Euripides’ trilogy on the Trojan War, which included the earlier tragedies Alexandros and Palamedes.
Hammond adapted a verse translation of the original text by Gilbert Murray, which he calls “really excellent, but antiquated.” The version of the play that will be performed at Guilford uses more modern language while preserving the verse structure and imagery.
Admission is $5. For ticket reservations and information, call 336-316-2414.
Oct. 17, 2008