New translation of Roman tragedy to be performed
10 August 2011
The ancient Roman tragedy "Phaedra", in a new translation by University of Canterbury classics lecturer Associate Professor Robin Bond, will be performed in the Elmwood School Community Auditorium from 22-25 August.
The ancient Roman tragedy Phaedra, in a new translation by University of Canterbury classics lecturer Associate Professor Robin Bond, will be performed in the Elmwood School Community Auditorium from 22-25 August.
The production, supported by the University’s Classics Programme in the School of Humanities, will be directed by Professor Bond and the cast includes Elizabeth Woods, Quentin Wilson, Katherine Hamilton and Tam Vosper.
Phaedra was written by the philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca during the reign of the infamous emperor Nero in the first century AD. It tells the story of Phaedra, wife of the hero Theseus, and her taboo love for her stepson Hippolytus who leads a celibate life dedicated to the worship of Diana. Scorned by Hippolytus, Phaedra and her nurse conspire to punish him, bringing about his death.
Influenced by the 5th century BCE Greek play, Hippolytus, Professor Bond said Phaedra has a lot to offer the modern theatre goer.
“Psychologically perceptive, horrific and tragic, and grotesquely humorous, by turns Seneca’s Phaedra holds its own with the Euripidean version as a self sufficient drama from an author who had more than a passing influence on Shakespearean tragedy.”
Phaedra will be performed at the Elmwood School Community Auditorium, 8pm, 22-25 August. Tickets will be available at the door ($15, unwaged $10).
For more information please contact:
Associate Professor Robin Bond
School of Humanities
University of Canterbury
Ph: 027 319 7637
robin.bond@canterbury.ac.nz
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