The University of Alberta’s studio theatre production of Iphigenia At Aulis, directed by David Kennedy was originally written by Euripides. The play is built around the conflict of the Trojan War. In the beginning of the play the audience witnesses Agamemnon distraught, about having to sacrifice his eldest daughter Iphigenia to the Greek god Artemis. In doing so Agamemnon believes the Greeks will win the war against the Trojans. In Euripides original version the play takes place during the Bronze Age of Ancient Greece, however Kennedy has chosen to take a new approach to this Greek tragedy. In his interoperation of the play Kennedy has chosen to bring Euripides script to modern times by the use of set and costume. Although Kennedy does modernize
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In the context of the play Agamemnon, commander of the Greek army is desperate to win the war against the Trojans. This becomes nearly impossible when the Greek fleet is unable to sail their ships due to the lack of wind. So as a result Agamemnon goes to the greek seer Calchas who tells him he must sacrifice his eldest daughter Iphigenia to the greek god Artemis in order win the war. A physical choice the actor David Feehan who played Agamemnon chose for his character was to be very expressive with his hands when speaking. This choice was beneficial to the impact of Agamemnon, because it gave the character more power. Moreover helping the audience establish the level of emotion Agamemnon was expressing, for example when he clenches his fists. In doing this the audience knows he is expressing anger without the use of dialogue. Feehan’s choice to make Agamemnon so expressive with his hands in comparison to other characters, helped convey Agamemnon age and wisdom. It also created a separation between him and other characters in conversation, establishing him as a character who was very self-invested. Made evident by Agamemnon’s willingness to sacrifice his daughter in order to win a war and prevent his loss of
In the context of the play Agamemnon, commander of the Greek army is desperate to win the war against the Trojans. This becomes nearly impossible when the Greek fleet is unable to sail their ships due to the lack of wind. So as a result Agamemnon goes to the greek seer Calchas who tells him he must sacrifice his eldest daughter Iphigenia to the greek god Artemis in order win the war. A physical choice the actor David Feehan who played Agamemnon chose for his character was to be very expressive with his hands when speaking. This choice was beneficial to the impact of Agamemnon, because it gave the character more power. Moreover helping the audience establish the level of emotion Agamemnon was expressing, for example when he clenches his fists. In doing this the audience knows he is expressing anger without the use of dialogue. Feehan’s choice to make Agamemnon so expressive with his hands in comparison to other characters, helped convey Agamemnon age and wisdom. It also created a separation between him and other characters in conversation, establishing him as a character who was very self-invested. Made evident by Agamemnon’s willingness to sacrifice his daughter in order to win a war and prevent his loss of