Tonight I went to see The Trojan Women, a play by Euripides. I would have been more impressed if it had been the classic play, but this version was more of a modern political statement. It was presented so that the Greeks symbolized the United States, and the Trojans symbolized the Middle East. The play ended with Cassandra, dynamite strapped to her chest, performing a suicide bombing. I have to say that the play was interesting, but I prefer stories that stick to the playwright’s original ideas. Seeing ancient characters in a more modern setting, all serving a political agenda, just wasn’t my idea of a fulfilling cultural experience. I’m interested in reading the review in the paper tomorrow. I don’t think it will be a great one.
On a different note, here’s a new picture of yours truly - taken on the way to the play!
October 23rd, 2005 at 4:07 am
Once again–heavy sigh…..
October 23rd, 2005 at 6:14 am
It’s a fine line with plays when they present them this way…as a Stratford lad I’ve seen enough Shakespeare to last probably a few lifetimes, and some have been similarly updated, sometimes very well and other time extremely poorly.
I think it’s good to expand the ideas of a play so long as you are true to the ones presented in the original text at the same time - it sounds like yours went a little too far, but its brave for a company to do that.
I think my personal favourite was some years ago seeing A Midsummer Nights Dream presented in a goth/punk style! Sounds awful doesn’t it, but it was actually extremely good.
October 23rd, 2005 at 11:25 am
Taking another’s work, adapting it to cram in your political/moral statement, is the sign of a hack. Nothing wrong with a work that makes a statement, but have the talent (or at least make the attempt) to tell your own story.
This is not to say there is something wrong with adaptations. Changing the setting, the point of view, and/or the tone can have a great effect.
Slightly related, there is an anime series called Gankutsuou that tells the story of the Count of Monte Cristo from the point of view of the children (mainly Albert, son of General Morceft) in a quasi-future paris. This is a good example of an adaptation - though I admit if your are a fan of the Count, you may not come away liking this version (since you’re not in the counts head, he comes off more as a villian - then again if a guy was out to f*ck over your dad, you probably wouldn’t care about his reasons either).
October 24th, 2005 at 5:31 pm
maybe you weren’t drunk enough?
October 24th, 2005 at 6:31 pm
Very seductive smile … or it the eyes? Either way, thank you for sharing.
October 25th, 2005 at 12:38 am
Tish, I have finally nailed it, you are hot in that “I belong painted on the front of a WWII bomber” type of way. It is way good, trust me.
October 27th, 2005 at 2:20 pm
You have SUCH a gorgeous face!! And those LIPS…DAYUMMMM.