| In this version of Euripides'
play by Edna O'Brien, the story of Iphigenia will
be told thorough a number of different theatrical conventions. Set
design, costume design, and acting
can be read about on their related pages in the PRODUCTION section
of this website.
On this page we examine three of the other ways in which the story
will be told - through the chorus, choreography
& music.
Chorus
Writer Edna O'Brien has adapted Euripides' original text of Iphigenia.
In her modern treatment of this story about sacrifice and power,
she has found an unusual way to deal with the chorus. In traditional
Greek theatre, the chorus would have been removed from the action,
commenting and observing from a distance the actions of the humans
and Gods in the stories. Edna has domesticated the chorus by transforming
them into individuals who fracture into the action of the play and
who are part of the action. Only in the final moment of the play
do they speak as a chorus, as if they have earnt the right for an
epic choral moment. The chorus are young women from Sheffield, non
professional actors who have been chosen from the community. Their
role will include singing, choral work and dancing, and their journey
will mirror that of Iphigenia as she makes the transition from girlhood
to womanhood during the course of the play.
Choreography
& Music
As well as the traditional language of the chorus we are
using the languages of music and movement to develop the chorus's
journey from innocence to ritual. In Edna O'Brien's adaptation the
play itself earns the status of epic as it spirals up from human
relationships to the gods. Physicality is a powerful way to emphasise
that for a modern audience, and will be created by choreographer
Scarlett Macmin.
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