Elektra
by Euripides in a new, acclaimed translation by Kenneth McLeish
Directed by Hugh Hanson
Sept. 16-17, 23-24, 2006 at
9 AM
Location: Under the trees Northeast of Simmons Pioneer Theatre
A stark tale of the vengeance of Elektra and Orestes for the murder of
their father Agamemnon by their mother Klytemnestra and her lover. A
sequel to last year’s U of U Classical Greek Theatre Festival production,
Iphigenia in Aulis.
The 36th Classical Greek Theatre
Festival (CGTF) presents Euripides’ Elektra. Performances will be at
9 a.m. two weekends in September—the 16thand 17th, and the 23rd and
24th, 2006. In classic Greek style, the performances will be held
outdoors in the early morning, this year on the lawn northeast of
the Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre on the University of Utah
campus. Pre-performance lectures are at 8:30 a.m. at the site, given
by the Festival’s founder, producer, and dramaturg, Professor James
Svendsen.
Elektra tells the story of King Agamemnon’s children, Elektra and
Orestes, and their quest for vengeance on the perpetrators of their
father’s murder—their mother Klytemnestra and her lover, the new
king. Euripides’ version presents two anti-heroes—the neurotic,
unbalanced Elektra and her cowardly brother Orestes—in a world where
the differences between good people and bad people are not always
clear. The play questions the traditional values of the time, which
judged a man by his wealth, status, and position. This year’s
production features original music, set and costumes with an “ethnic
peasant” motif —think Appalachia!
Elektra Study Guide
PDF
Sponsored by the Utah Arts Council, Utah Humanities Council, Salt
Lake Arts Council, the Zoo, Arts, and Parks Program, the Thomas D.
Dee Foundation, and the University of Utah Department of Theatre the
CGTF is the longest running and largest festival of Classical Greek
Theatre in the country. The opportunity to enjoy classical Greek
theatre live, in its original format, is rare. Don’t miss this
exciting production.
Elektra Program PDF
