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‘Oldest play’ has modern parallels
THE PERSIANS
Theatro Technis
AESCHYLUS’S The Persians tells the tale of a young King Xerxes, whose surprise defeat by an underestimated, yet familiar Greek enemy infuriates and dismays his nation. Sound familiar?
The play opens with Tania Batzoglou, chanting in ancient Greek, as the room slowly fills with candle-clutching figures.
The play is set in a court where the women and councillors of Persia await news of the ill-fated battle.
The role of Queen Atossa is played on alternate nights by Jessica Matheson and Batzoglou – again in Greek.
Matheson’s Atossa is strong and demanding. She is joined by Jasper Soffer – as Xerxes – whose robust monologues tremble throughout the theatre space.
The play could do with less of the supporting ensemble’s wailing, feigned heaving and peculiar interpretive dance.
These elements take away from certain beauties of the production such as Gillian Spragg’s music or Felipe Cura’s simple yet effective set.
In spite of this discrepancy the timing and message of this piece is critical.
The Persians is the only Greek play based on non-mythical events and acts as a warning. history always repeats itself and no one, as today’s conflicts show, ever learns.
Until May 31
020 7387 6617 |
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