Review: 'Andromache'

Passion leads to tragic consequences that mere mortals be they kings or warriors are unable to circumvent.  That theme is once again explored in Jean Racine’s play Andromache.

Racine used Euripides’ characters but developed his own take on the Athenian tragedy.  In Richard Wilbur’s 1982 translation, the text is done entirely in verse. The rhymed couplets preserve the powerful language of Racine’s original French text.

 

Directed by Patrick Young, Theatre Erindales’s production has the talented team of performers give each line detailed consideration. The characterizations are well thought out and played with enormous conviction.

Andrew Tribe playing Orestes establishes this in the very first scene, as he lays his plan to win Hermione away from King Pyrrhus. When the King (in a commanding performance by Darren Turner) blocks this move by announcing that he will marry Hermione, the murderous plot is set in motion.

The palpable tension in the scene between the two of them carries over to the scene between Hermione and Andromache, the widow of Trojan hero Hector and now held captive by Pyrrhus.

The King is in love Andromache but she resists his advances wishing to stay true to her husband. She also wants to save the life of her son and torn by these conflicting emotions agrees to wed the king, setting Hermione into a jealous rage.

Both Melanie Hrymak and Juel Hughes give outstanding performances as Andromache and Hermione. It is in the second half where each is given a number of powerful moments. Kay in particular does a superb job navigating Hermione’s sudden change of heart regarding the plot to assassinate the king.

Needless to say, there are a lot of rumblings beneath the surface here, and the cast does an exemplary job of exploring the inner conflicts of each character. Jim Smagata’s moody lighting enhances the dark tone of the piece.  The set, designed by Patrick Young, is simple using a series of Greek (what else?) columns to suggest the throne room of Pyrrhus’ palace.

There’s a reason this play has remained popular for over 400 years: It’s a cracking good tale!

 

Andromache continues at Theatre Erindale until Saturday January 30. Weeknight performances start at 7:30, Friday and Saturday performances are at 8pm, with a 2 pm matinee on Saturday. For tickets call the box office at 905-569-4369.

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