Difference between revisions of "Medea"
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= Medea by Euripides (431 BC) = | = Medea by Euripides (431 BC) = | ||
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| + | ==The original text== | ||
A play based upon the myth of Jason and Medea and first produced in 431 BC. The plot centers on the barbarian protagonist as she finds her position in the Greek world threatened, and the revenge she takes against her husband Jason who has betrayed her for another woman. Euripides produced ''[[Medea]]'' along with the lost plays ''[[Philoctetes]]'', ''[[Dictys]]'' and the satyr play ''[[Theristai]]'', winning the third prize (out of three) at the City Dionysia festival for that year. | A play based upon the myth of Jason and Medea and first produced in 431 BC. The plot centers on the barbarian protagonist as she finds her position in the Greek world threatened, and the revenge she takes against her husband Jason who has betrayed her for another woman. Euripides produced ''[[Medea]]'' along with the lost plays ''[[Philoctetes]]'', ''[[Dictys]]'' and the satyr play ''[[Theristai]]'', winning the third prize (out of three) at the City Dionysia festival for that year. | ||
| − | = South African productions = | + | == South African productions of Euripides's text== |
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2019: An adapted version of the play, developed and performed by Dario D’Ambrosi's Rome based company and school L’ Associazione del Teatro Patologico[http://www.teatropatologico.org/index.php/associazione] (generally referred to as '''Teatro Patologico'''), was staged in the [[Mannie Manim Theatre]] at The [[Market Theatre]], Johannesburg on 27 September and 28 September, appearing under the auspices of the Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria and The [[Market Theatre Foundation]]. The cast consisted of people with disabilities and professional actors. | 2019: An adapted version of the play, developed and performed by Dario D’Ambrosi's Rome based company and school L’ Associazione del Teatro Patologico[http://www.teatropatologico.org/index.php/associazione] (generally referred to as '''Teatro Patologico'''), was staged in the [[Mannie Manim Theatre]] at The [[Market Theatre]], Johannesburg on 27 September and 28 September, appearing under the auspices of the Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria and The [[Market Theatre Foundation]]. The cast consisted of people with disabilities and professional actors. | ||
| − | = | + | = International and local adaptations of the ''Medea'' text = |
| − | + | == ''Medea'' by Franz Grillparzer [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Grillparzer] (1821)== | |
| + | |||
| + | ===The original text=== | ||
The culminating events of Grillparzer's trilogy of reworked Greek plays, ''Das goldene Vlies'' (''The Golden Fleece''). The theme is the tragedy of the heart's desire, the conflict of the simple happy life with that sinister power, be it genius or ambition, which upsets the equilibrium of life. Medea, her revenge stilled, her children dead, bears the fatal Fleece back to Delphi, while Jason is left to realize the nothingness of human striving and earthly happiness. The end is bitter disillusionment; the only consolation renunciation. Some critics consider ''Medea'' Grillparzer's highest achievement. | The culminating events of Grillparzer's trilogy of reworked Greek plays, ''Das goldene Vlies'' (''The Golden Fleece''). The theme is the tragedy of the heart's desire, the conflict of the simple happy life with that sinister power, be it genius or ambition, which upsets the equilibrium of life. Medea, her revenge stilled, her children dead, bears the fatal Fleece back to Delphi, while Jason is left to realize the nothingness of human striving and earthly happiness. The end is bitter disillusionment; the only consolation renunciation. Some critics consider ''Medea'' Grillparzer's highest achievement. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===South African productions=== | ||
Produced in South Africa at [[Space Theatre|The Space]] (Cape Town), adapted and directed by [[Barney Simon]] in his directorial debut at [[Space Theatre|The Space]] from 9 July to 20 August 1977, with [[Yvonne Bryceland]], [[Charles Comyn]], [[Wilson Dunster]], [[Chris Galloway]], [[Joel Maister]], [[Michael Maister]], [[Nomhle Nkonyeni]] and [[Jacqui Singer]]. Music by [[Mike Dickman]], set by [[John Nankin]] and costumes by [[Zsuzsanna Kovacs]] and [[Danny Malan]]. Lighting: [[Dimitri Nicolas-Fanourakis]]. | Produced in South Africa at [[Space Theatre|The Space]] (Cape Town), adapted and directed by [[Barney Simon]] in his directorial debut at [[Space Theatre|The Space]] from 9 July to 20 August 1977, with [[Yvonne Bryceland]], [[Charles Comyn]], [[Wilson Dunster]], [[Chris Galloway]], [[Joel Maister]], [[Michael Maister]], [[Nomhle Nkonyeni]] and [[Jacqui Singer]]. Music by [[Mike Dickman]], set by [[John Nankin]] and costumes by [[Zsuzsanna Kovacs]] and [[Danny Malan]]. Lighting: [[Dimitri Nicolas-Fanourakis]]. | ||
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[[Barney Simon]] directed this version at the Edinburgh Festival and at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith by Traverse Theatre, with [[Yvonne Bryceland]] in the cast, from August 1983. | [[Barney Simon]] directed this version at the Edinburgh Festival and at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith by Traverse Theatre, with [[Yvonne Bryceland]] in the cast, from August 1983. | ||
| − | + | ==''[[Medea, or The Best of Mothers with a Brute of a Husband]]'' by Robert B. Brough== | |
| + | |||
| + | ===The original text=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===South African performances=== | ||
A [[burlesque]] version in one act by Robert B. Brough ()[], it was first performed and published by [[Thomas Hailes Lacy]] (Lacy's acting edition, no. 393) in 1856. | A [[burlesque]] version in one act by Robert B. Brough ()[], it was first performed and published by [[Thomas Hailes Lacy]] (Lacy's acting edition, no. 393) in 1856. | ||
| − | + | == ''Medea'' by Robinson Jeffers (1946)== | |
| + | |||
| + | ===The original text=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===South African performances=== | ||
| + | |||
1955: Produced by [[Pietro Nolte]] for the [[Cape Town Theatre Company]] at the Rondebosch Town Hall, with [[Lydia Lindeque]] as Medea, [[Jennifer Craig]], [[Percy Sieff]], [[Peter Craig]], [[Pietro Nolte]] and others in the cast, October 1955. | 1955: Produced by [[Pietro Nolte]] for the [[Cape Town Theatre Company]] at the Rondebosch Town Hall, with [[Lydia Lindeque]] as Medea, [[Jennifer Craig]], [[Percy Sieff]], [[Peter Craig]], [[Pietro Nolte]] and others in the cast, October 1955. | ||
1962: In 1962 the English adaptation by American poet Robinson Jeffers (1887-1962) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robinson_Jeffers] was staged by the Durban [[Lyric Theatre]] Company, directed by [[Peter Craig]] with [[Lydia Lindeque]] as Medea. | 1962: In 1962 the English adaptation by American poet Robinson Jeffers (1887-1962) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robinson_Jeffers] was staged by the Durban [[Lyric Theatre]] Company, directed by [[Peter Craig]] with [[Lydia Lindeque]] as Medea. | ||
| − | + | == ''Medea'' by [[Dieter Reible]] == | |
| + | |||
| + | ===The original text=== | ||
[[Dieter Reible]] wrote a German version of the original play for a solo performance by his second wife at an avant-garde theatre in Poland. | [[Dieter Reible]] wrote a German version of the original play for a solo performance by his second wife at an avant-garde theatre in Poland. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===South African performances=== | ||
1981: This version was translated into English and was performed by [[Trix Pienaar]] at the [[Baxter Theatre|Baxter Studio]], directed by [[Dieter Reible|Reible]], opening 13 May 1981. (Manuscript (?) held by [[NELM]]: [Collection: LILENSTEIN, Mavis]: 2007. 9. 17. 2). | 1981: This version was translated into English and was performed by [[Trix Pienaar]] at the [[Baxter Theatre|Baxter Studio]], directed by [[Dieter Reible|Reible]], opening 13 May 1981. (Manuscript (?) held by [[NELM]]: [Collection: LILENSTEIN, Mavis]: 2007. 9. 17. 2). | ||
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2011: Reible's adaptation of ''[[Medea]]'' was translated into [[Afrikaans]] by [[Arnold Blumer]] and performed at the [[Woordfees]], directed by [[Marthinus Basson]], starring [[Coba-Maryn Wilsenach]]. | 2011: Reible's adaptation of ''[[Medea]]'' was translated into [[Afrikaans]] by [[Arnold Blumer]] and performed at the [[Woordfees]], directed by [[Marthinus Basson]], starring [[Coba-Maryn Wilsenach]]. | ||
| − | + | == ''Kabuki Medea'' by [[Shozo Sato]] == | |
| + | |||
| + | ===The original text=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===South African performances=== | ||
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1992 or 1993: A production was staged at an unknown venue in Natal, starring [[Brenda Radloff]]. | 1992 or 1993: A production was staged at an unknown venue in Natal, starring [[Brenda Radloff]]. | ||
| − | + | ==''[[Demea]]'' by [[Guy Butler]]== | |
| + | |||
| + | ===The original text=== | ||
A South African adaptation, based on ''[[Medea]]'', first performed at the [[Grahamstown Festival]] in 1990, directed by [[Dieter Reible]], and published by [[David Philip]], 1990. | A South African adaptation, based on ''[[Medea]]'', first performed at the [[Grahamstown Festival]] in 1990, directed by [[Dieter Reible]], and published by [[David Philip]], 1990. | ||
| − | '''See | + | ===South African performances=== |
| + | |||
| + | '''See the entry on ''[[Demea]]''''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | == ''[[MedEia]]'' by [[Oscar van Woensel]], in collaboration with Kuno Bakker and Manja Topper (1998) == | ||
| − | === | + | ===The original text=== |
The text presents a fragmented stream of consciousness version of the story. First produced by Dood Paard in 1998. | The text presents a fragmented stream of consciousness version of the story. First produced by Dood Paard in 1998. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===South African performances=== | ||
First performed in South Africa by the [[Third World Bunfight]] as a site-specific performance at the [[University of the Witwatersrand]] in 2003, designed and directed by [[Brett Bailey]], text direction by [[Lara Bye]], with [[Faniswa Yisa]] as Medea, [[James MaccGregor]], [[Frank Paco]], [[Mbali Kgosidintsi]], [[Indalo Stofile]], [[Namhla Tshuka]] and [[Apollo Ntshoko]]. This site-specific version was repeated in 2005 at the [[Spier]] Arts Summer Season (Stellenbosch). Reworked for stage production in the Zurich Theater Spektakel, Theaterfestival Basel, Berliner Festspiele, and 7 Dutch cities including Amsterdam and Rotterdam, as well as the [[Baxter Theatre]], Cape Town, in 2012. | First performed in South Africa by the [[Third World Bunfight]] as a site-specific performance at the [[University of the Witwatersrand]] in 2003, designed and directed by [[Brett Bailey]], text direction by [[Lara Bye]], with [[Faniswa Yisa]] as Medea, [[James MaccGregor]], [[Frank Paco]], [[Mbali Kgosidintsi]], [[Indalo Stofile]], [[Namhla Tshuka]] and [[Apollo Ntshoko]]. This site-specific version was repeated in 2005 at the [[Spier]] Arts Summer Season (Stellenbosch). Reworked for stage production in the Zurich Theater Spektakel, Theaterfestival Basel, Berliner Festspiele, and 7 Dutch cities including Amsterdam and Rotterdam, as well as the [[Baxter Theatre]], Cape Town, in 2012. | ||
Revision as of 05:54, 7 September 2020
Contents
- 1 Medea by Euripides (431 BC)
- 2 International and local adaptations of the Medea text
- 2.1 Medea by Franz Grillparzer [2] (1821)
- 2.2 Medea, or The Best of Mothers with a Brute of a Husband by Robert B. Brough
- 2.3 Medea by Robinson Jeffers (1946)
- 2.4 Medea by Dieter Reible
- 2.5 Kabuki Medea by Shozo Sato
- 2.6 Demea by Guy Butler
- 2.7 MedEia by Oscar van Woensel, in collaboration with Kuno Bakker and Manja Topper (1998)
- 3 Sources
- 4 Return to
Medea by Euripides (431 BC)
The original text
A play based upon the myth of Jason and Medea and first produced in 431 BC. The plot centers on the barbarian protagonist as she finds her position in the Greek world threatened, and the revenge she takes against her husband Jason who has betrayed her for another woman. Euripides produced Medea along with the lost plays Philoctetes, Dictys and the satyr play Theristai, winning the third prize (out of three) at the City Dionysia festival for that year.
South African productions of Euripides's text
The original play
1866: Performed on 26 March in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, by the Le Roy-Duret Company featuring Marie Duret as "Medea", with Turn Him Out (Williams) as afterpiece.
1866: Performed again on 13 April in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, by the Le Roy-Duret Company, with Winning a Husband (Buckstone) as afterpiece.
1908: The first Afrikaans version of the original text (by **) was done by the Afrikaans-Hollandse Toneelvereniging in Potchefstroom and Ermelo (1907), then in the Opera House, Pretoria, April, on 1908, to an invited audience including the colonial secretary, General J.C. Smuts. Backdrops painted by the artist Frans Oerder.
1935: Presented in English by the University of Cape Town's Speech and Drama Department at the Little Theatre, directed by Ruth Peffers.
1973: An Afrikaans translation by Roelf Laubscher was done by PACOFS in 1973 by the SUKOVS Werksteater, directed by Jannie Gildenhuys.
1986: In 1986 the play was designed and directed by John Giese for the Eoan Theatre Group. The cast included Theresa Cloete, Raffaele Sabatini, Veronica Edwards, Neil Stoffberg, Edgar Whitley, Bernadette Stevens, Wendy Ely, Estelle Webster, Shamien Essack, Joseph Mitchell, performed in the Baxter Studio.
1994: An adaptation was staged by Jazzart and Magnet Theatre in The Arena in the Nico Malan Theatre in 1994, directed by Mark Fleishman and Jennie Reznek, with Bo Petersen (Medea) and Kurt Wustmann (Jason), Jay Pather, Dawn Langdown and Heinrich Reisenhofer. Choreography by Alfred Hinkel. This production went to the Grahamstown Festival in 1995 and the Market Theatre in 1996.
2011: A translation into Afrikaans of this text by Arnold Blumer was directed by Marthinus Basson for TEATERteater at Woordfees 2011 and Aardklop 2012, with Coba-Maryn Wilsenach as Medea.
2019: An adapted version of the play, developed and performed by Dario D’Ambrosi's Rome based company and school L’ Associazione del Teatro Patologico[1] (generally referred to as Teatro Patologico), was staged in the Mannie Manim Theatre at The Market Theatre, Johannesburg on 27 September and 28 September, appearing under the auspices of the Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria and The Market Theatre Foundation. The cast consisted of people with disabilities and professional actors.
International and local adaptations of the Medea text
Medea by Franz Grillparzer [2] (1821)
The original text
The culminating events of Grillparzer's trilogy of reworked Greek plays, Das goldene Vlies (The Golden Fleece). The theme is the tragedy of the heart's desire, the conflict of the simple happy life with that sinister power, be it genius or ambition, which upsets the equilibrium of life. Medea, her revenge stilled, her children dead, bears the fatal Fleece back to Delphi, while Jason is left to realize the nothingness of human striving and earthly happiness. The end is bitter disillusionment; the only consolation renunciation. Some critics consider Medea Grillparzer's highest achievement.
South African productions
Produced in South Africa at The Space (Cape Town), adapted and directed by Barney Simon in his directorial debut at The Space from 9 July to 20 August 1977, with Yvonne Bryceland, Charles Comyn, Wilson Dunster, Chris Galloway, Joel Maister, Michael Maister, Nomhle Nkonyeni and Jacqui Singer. Music by Mike Dickman, set by John Nankin and costumes by Zsuzsanna Kovacs and Danny Malan. Lighting: Dimitri Nicolas-Fanourakis.
Barney Simon directed this version at the Edinburgh Festival and at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith by Traverse Theatre, with Yvonne Bryceland in the cast, from August 1983.
Medea, or The Best of Mothers with a Brute of a Husband by Robert B. Brough
The original text
South African performances
A burlesque version in one act by Robert B. Brough ()[], it was first performed and published by Thomas Hailes Lacy (Lacy's acting edition, no. 393) in 1856.
Medea by Robinson Jeffers (1946)
The original text
South African performances
1955: Produced by Pietro Nolte for the Cape Town Theatre Company at the Rondebosch Town Hall, with Lydia Lindeque as Medea, Jennifer Craig, Percy Sieff, Peter Craig, Pietro Nolte and others in the cast, October 1955.
1962: In 1962 the English adaptation by American poet Robinson Jeffers (1887-1962) [3] was staged by the Durban Lyric Theatre Company, directed by Peter Craig with Lydia Lindeque as Medea.
Medea by Dieter Reible
The original text
Dieter Reible wrote a German version of the original play for a solo performance by his second wife at an avant-garde theatre in Poland.
South African performances
1981: This version was translated into English and was performed by Trix Pienaar at the Baxter Studio, directed by Reible, opening 13 May 1981. (Manuscript (?) held by NELM: [Collection: LILENSTEIN, Mavis]: 2007. 9. 17. 2).
2011: Reible's adaptation of Medea was translated into Afrikaans by Arnold Blumer and performed at the Woordfees, directed by Marthinus Basson, starring Coba-Maryn Wilsenach.
Kabuki Medea by Shozo Sato
The original text
South African performances
1992 or 1993: A production was staged at an unknown venue in Natal, starring Brenda Radloff.
Demea by Guy Butler
The original text
A South African adaptation, based on Medea, first performed at the Grahamstown Festival in 1990, directed by Dieter Reible, and published by David Philip, 1990.
South African performances
See the entry on Demea
MedEia by Oscar van Woensel, in collaboration with Kuno Bakker and Manja Topper (1998)
The original text
The text presents a fragmented stream of consciousness version of the story. First produced by Dood Paard in 1998.
South African performances
First performed in South Africa by the Third World Bunfight as a site-specific performance at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2003, designed and directed by Brett Bailey, text direction by Lara Bye, with Faniswa Yisa as Medea, James MaccGregor, Frank Paco, Mbali Kgosidintsi, Indalo Stofile, Namhla Tshuka and Apollo Ntshoko. This site-specific version was repeated in 2005 at the Spier Arts Summer Season (Stellenbosch). Reworked for stage production in the Zurich Theater Spektakel, Theaterfestival Basel, Berliner Festspiele, and 7 Dutch cities including Amsterdam and Rotterdam, as well as the Baxter Theatre, Cape Town, in 2012.
2012: Staged at the Baxter Theatre, designed and directed by Brett Bailey, with Faniswa Yisa (Medea), Frank Paco, James McGregor, Apollo Ntshoko, Indalo Stofile, Mbali Kgosidintsi and Namhla Chuka.
Mamma Medea by Tom Lanoye (2001)
Published 2001 by Prometeus.
Using the story of Medea to bring up modern problems (such as migration and man vs. woman), resulting in a modernized version of Medea. His version also aims to analyze ideas such as the love that develops from the initial passion, problems in the marriage, and the "final hour" of the love between Jason and Medea. **
Translated into Afrikaans as Mamma Medea by Antjie Krog, it was done by Marthinus Basson for the Aardklop festival in 2003, with Neels van Jaarsveld, Anthea Thompson, Antoinette Kellermann, Jannie Gagiano. Also at the Woordfees (2003).
Sources
F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.203, 206, 208-9, 295.
Teaterteater programme
Inskip, 1972. p.120 (1935 production).
Photocopies from Percy Sieff's scrapbook held by NELM: [Collection: SIEFF, Percy]: 2013. 25. 4. 28. (1955 production).
Medea theatre programme, 1955.
Astbury 1979.
Review by Fiona Chisholm, unititled, undated newspaper clipping (circa 1981) and Die Burger, 5 March 2011 (re Reible adaptation).
Barrow, Brian & Williams-Short, Yvonne 1988.
Van Zyl Smit 2005; 2007.
Cape Times, 18 September 2012.
"Teatro Patologico visits the Market Theatre", Market Theatre Foundation - Artslink.co.za News (09/01/2019).
Go to ESAT Bibliography
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