Tag Archives: Thebes

May 08

Plague and Pestilence are the Same Thing, Really: “Oedipus the King

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Image via https://www.facebook.com/TheaterOfWar

Oedipus the King
Presented by Theater of War Productions, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and Brooklyn Public Library.
Written by Sophocles
Translated, directed and facilitated by Bryan Doerries, artistic director

Thursday, May 7, 2020, @ 7PM
A Virtual, Free Event Via Zoom

Critique by Kitty Drexel

New York City — “This translation is bananas,” said my Thursday night viewing companion in response to Bryan Doerries’ translation of Oedipus the King presented by Theatre of War Productions on May 7. Indeed, Doerries’ colloquialized translation of Oedipus was nontraditional. Thursday night’s live performance in three parts maneuvered the classical text between conventional expectation and contemporary acting styles. Sometimes it successfully drew parallels from Ancient Greece (429 B.C.E) to modern culture. Other times, modern vernacular against the theatre practices of Ancient Greece. Continue reading →

Jan 17

Modern Application of Ancient Greek Pathos: “The Bacchae”

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When Bacchae attack. News at 11.

Presented by Oberon New Works Series, Komoi Collective and Tubiforce Media Productions
By Euripides
Translated by T.A. Buckley
Script treatment by Steve Dooner
Directed by Steve Dooner and Jen Kenneally
Musical direction by Adam Brooks
Dramaturg – Mike Nuell

January 16 & 17, 2014
Club Oberon
Cambridge, MA
Tubiforce on Facebook
The Bacchae on Facebook

Review by Kitty Drexel

**This show is for adults. There is artful nudity and general sexiness. The naked body is a beautiful thing but parents tend to freak out when their kids see one. Sex is great. ***

(Cambridge) As a tot, I remember asking my Mom about the god Dionysus (I was reading The Odyssey and was confused by his role). She told me simply that he was the god of liquids like wine… and semen. She continued that he liked to have a good time and preferred his ladies on the wild side. My understanding of mythology has never been the same.

To wit, Euripides’ The Bacchae is the story of how life got flipped, turned upside down when Dionysus (Gene Dante) became the god of a town called Thebes. Long story short, Zeus impregnated Semele, killed her with lightning and then gestated their son Dionysus in his “thigh.” Semele’s family assumed she got knocked-up illegitimately and refused to believe that Dionysus was a god. Tiresias (Eric Dwinnells) the oracle tries to warn them but the idiots don’t listen*. This is when all Hell breaks loose. Dionysus drives all the Theban ladies crazypants. They throw an epic party in the mountains and trash the town. Only King Pentheus (Brandon Homer) has the balls to question their antics (lame). It does not end well for anyone – except for Dionysus who finally receives the recognition he deserves. Along the way there’s some cross-dressing, nudity and a tiny bit of bondage. Continue reading →