Modern ‘Electra’

Press, 12 September 1984, Page 20

Modern ‘Electra’

The Free Theatre will present the Sophoclean tragedy “Electra” in its Arts Centre venue, opening on Tuesday.

Written in the fifth century B.C. in Athens, Sophocles’ “Electra” is still regarded as one of the masterpieces of European drama. It is a story of illicit love, jealousy, murder and revenge. In the aftermath of her father Agamemnon’s murder by her treacherous mother Clytemnestra, Electra plots revenge after long years of exile in her own house. Aided by her brother. Orestes, the cycle of exacting kindred blood from blood nears completion. The Free Theatre’s pro-

duction, the first in Christchurch for many years, uses a new translation by its director, Dr Robin Bond, a lecturer in classics at the University of Canterbury. “This work has survived for over 2000 years, but each age needs its own’ translation,” Dr Bond said. While remaining true to the content and tone of the original, he has specifically aimed his translation at a modern audience. “There is a clear division between naturalistic blank verse and more formal lyric passages which includes music and stylised movement. I have tried to make the words speak for themselves, concisely and directly. This

production is not an archeological piece.” “Electra” has been designed by Christchurch artist Graham Bennett. He said: “I make use of a set which perhaps reflects universal laws of balance, symmetry and asymmetry combined with extensive, use of masks, ritual and music.” The role of Electra is taken by Sarah Raymond, who has appeared in several previous Free Theatre productions. The cast consists of actors and actresses not only involved with the Free Theatre but drawn from other sources. The season runs from September 18 to September 29.