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Fiona Mountford's rating
Hippolytus shows war of chastity and passion
By
Fiona Mountford
3 Mar 2009
Aficionados like to keep on about the relevance of Ancient Greek drama but sometimes these God and myth-heavy set-ups can hang heavy on contemporary ears and eyes. Hippolytus, a fatal clash between goddesses at opposite ends of the chastity spectrum, is thrillingly up-to-date with its ideas of wantonness and abstinence and Timberlake Wertenbaker builds on this with a wonderfully confident translation of Euripides in convincing modern idiom.
In a striking start, Aphrodite, played with amusing assurance by Beatrice Curnew, struts on dressed like a Vivienne Westwood model in an outrageous hooped skirt, talking of the “collateral damage of my revenge”. Phaedra, stepmother to sex-renouncing Hippolytus, will be destroyed alongside the youth who so vehemently refuses to acknowledge the goddess of love. It’s a terrific beginning all round, instantly establishing a sense of hurtling tragedy.
That the rest of the modern-dress action doesn’t quite live up to this promise is largely due to some rather self-conscious directorial choices from Mike Tweddle, including consistently peculiar positioning of actors. It is, though, refreshing to see the four-person chorus, who speak, sing and play instruments, so fluid, instead of the monolithic block of voices that has us switching off between scenes.
Katherine Tozer’s Phaedra, who awkwardly looks much the same age as Paul O’Mahony’s wide-eyed Artemis acolyte Hippolytus, starts on just the right note of anguish then fails to deviate from it at all, which diminishes the impact of her goddess-imposed passion. Wertenbaker’s translation, however, is faultless.
Until 7 March (020 8858 7755, www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (4)
Great stuff - had never seen this play before, but was struck by the performances and thought the direction really brought it to life. Will definitely try to see more of temple theatre's shows in the future!
- Mark, Manchester, 22/03/2009 11:03
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I really enjoyed Saturday night's production of Hippolytus at the Riverside Studios. The story was compelling, with light humour at the start, with a deep & moving finish.
For Temple Theatre's first full scale production I thought they did a grand job
- Graham, London, 06/03/2009 09:00
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Well done Temple Theatre - doing the impossible and making me actually enjoy Greek tragedy. I was dragged along by my girlfriend (classics at uni - ohmigod...) all the way out west to hammersmith of all places (I thought there were only school uniform parties out there!!!) fully expecting to be b-ored. But actually I thought it was pretty cool! Especialy the music and acting which I thought was really good especialy the lead actor who was really powerful.
- Jack, Hackney, 03/03/2009 21:11
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The young troup faced a real challenge to commission the brilliant new translation, produce, cast, direct and interpret such a tragedy. And Temple Theatre did it again!
For those familiar with their last award-winning play "Out of Chaos", the same fresh mix of continental influences, enchanting music and audacious direction bring the play beyond what we expect from it.
The vibrant modernity of Timberlake Wertenbaker's Hippolytus translation is conveyed by an creative direction from Mike Tweedle. The chorus carries the audience all the way through. Dancing, singing, breathing with the unfolding dramatic events.
The audience does the splits between ancient dilemna and today's language, between Burcke and Penfold's magnificent interpretation and the invigorating acting of the rest of the group.
When is the next production?
- Alex, London, 03/03/2009 17:20
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