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by Euripides, adapted by Gwendolyn MacEwen, directed by Peter Pasyk

Randolph Academy, Toronto Fringe Festival, Annex Theatre, Toronto

July 2-13, 2014

Euripides’ great tragedy has maintained its terrible relevance because the way men treat women vanquished in war has barely changed in 2500 years.  The Randolph Academy’s modern dress production well suits Gwendolyn MacEwen’s tough-minded modern translation. 

Director Peter Pasyk’s key insight is that the play is not merely a communal female outcry against men, but also the tragedy of Hecuba a strong Lindsay Frederick), whose anger at defeat gradually grows to question the point of existence itself.  Avery Dupuis makes Andromache’s anguish palpable, while Victoria Dunsmore succeeds in almost making us believe that Helen’s version of events in which she is just an innocent pawn may be correct.  Tyler East is excellent as Talthybius, a Greek messenger who begins to doubt whether his assigned duties need to be so heartless.  MacEwen’s adaptation view that the virginal prophet Cassandra (Liane Charette) as a nymphomaniac is not quite believable, but the production shines in the fine work of the individualized chorus. 

              

©Christopher Hoile

Note: A version of this review appeared in NOW Magazine 2014-07-10.

Photo: Avery Dupuis and Demi McIntosh.  ©2014 Darlene Spencer.

For tickets, visit http://fringetoronto.com.