14 = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
ARTS
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THURSDAY,OCTOBER31,2002
Play depicts family tragedy
War is a difficult time for soldiers and their families. When a member of your family starts the war, it can be especially difficult.
Before the events portrayed in Euripides' Iphigenia at Aulis, part of the University Theatre's Inge series, the Greeks are waiting to set sail for Troy. Paris, a Trojan prince, stole Helen, the wife of King Menelaus of Sparta.To reclaim Helen, Menelaus asks the rulers of other Greek kingdoms to join him against Troy. His brother Agamemnon is made commander of the Greek forces.
At the start of the play, Agamemnon struggles with a difficult decision. The gods have revealed to him that his ships will be unable to leave port until he makes a sacrifice. In order to leave, he must sacrifice his eldest daughter, Iphigenia, to the goddess Artemis.
The production, directed by Sara Armstrong, Cushing, Okla., graduate student presents a progression of emotions from anger to despair. Arguments break out between the characters as they try to cope with the their horrible situation.
Joseph Boothe, who plays Agamemnon shows the struggle of choosing between the life of a daughter and the honor of brother and country. Boothe, Overland Park senior, effectively demonstrates the emotional conflict inside Agamemnon, dealing not only with issues of loyalty, but also of family.
Euripides presents Helen of Troy differently from the "face that launched a thousand ships," a view that many may be familiar with. Helen, who is never seen, is often regarded as a whore or a harlot in this play, mainly by her sister Clytemnestra, who is also Agamemnon's wife, played by Allison Gabbard, Topeka senior.
Gabbard's performance realistically shows a mother's reaction when told her daughter is to die. Angry that her daughter
THEATRE
Donovan Atkinson
datkinson@kansan.com
John Nowak/Kansar
Actor Joe Boothe, Overland Park senior, puts a stranglehold on Phillip Vocasek, Dodge City senior, as their characters Agamemnon and Menelaus quarrel in the play Iphigenia at Aulis.
IPHIGENIA ATAULIS
The Greek tragedy by Euripides, translated by Elaine Terranova, will be performed on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 and 2 at the Inge Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for the public, $6 for students and $11 for senior citizens. The play is directed by Sara K. Armstrong, with scenic design by Emily Elder and lighting design by Brian Diltz.
Carter's performance of Iphigenia's plea for her life brought tears to the eyes of many members of the audience, and the fervor Carter displays when Iphigenia realizes her power is striking.
has to die to save a tramp, Clytemnestra tries in vain to plead with Agamemnon.
Armstrong brings some interesting touches to her production of Iphigenia. Classical elements of Greek theater have been incorporated into the show. The chorus wears masks and Greek-inspired dresses to emphasize its femininity. Also, tents are set at both ends of the staging area similar to the skene, a multi-purpose set piece of ancient Greek theater.
Iphigenia, played by Megan Carter, Overland Park sophomore, is placed in a unique situation. Lured to the Greek camp by her father with promises of a marriage to Achilles, she soon finds out the truth. Though shocked at first, Iphigenia eventually realizes the power of her situation as a martyr.
Another interesting touch is the separation of the sexes. Audience members are separated by gender, with the women facing the men. Armstrong said the seating was planned to force the audience to watch the reactions to lines such as "I rule my women folk."
Patriotic songs are also used to emphasize the theme of loyalty to one's country. At one point, Greek soldiers sing that Iphigenia must die, to the tune of "My Country 'Tis of Thee." The chorus occasionally delivers lines to familiar songs, including "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Mixing classical Greek theater, heavy emotion and modern touches, Euripides' Iphigenia at Aulis presents an interesting view of the personal impact of war.