Scapegoat Carnivale Theatre Closes MEDEA 10/30

Scapegoat Carnivale Theatre is eager to present Euripides' Medea in a new translation from the ancient Greek, as part of Centaur Theatre's Brave New Looks from Oct. 21-30. Medea is one of the most influential and accessible of the Greek tragedies. Translators Andreas Apergis and Joseph Shragge are excited to offer this modern-feeling script, which closely resembles Euripides' original stark and powerful text. This dramatic work, directed by Alison Darcy and Andreas Apergis, features some of Montreal's top performers, including singers and live musicians. Brian Lipson composed the original score; David Oppenheim is the musical director.

The plot of Medea revolves around the emotional fallout occurring when the hero Jason leaves his wife Medea for King Kreon's daughter. Now exiled by the King, Medea has one day to plot her revenge against Jason, undertaking one of the most gruesome acts of revenge in history. Medea is filled with dark machinations, political upheavals and tragedy.
Scapegoat Carnivale Theatre's Medea will be loosely set in Greece in the 1920s, after the population exchange between Greece and Turkey left the country with an influx of ethnic Greeks who had been living in Turkey for generations. The encounter between Greek and Turkish cultures produced Rembetika, a mournful music often compared to the American blues. A Rembetika-singing chorus highlights the play's theme of displacement in this mythical and harrowing domestic drama.

The music is an important and stirring element elevating this production. Composer Brian Lipson took as a starting point the idea that the ancient Greek chorus could sing in 20th century harmony, rather than simply chant, "I drew primarily on 1920s Greek Rembetika music, as well as Greek and Jewish liturgical memes. Throughout the composition process I often asked myself: 'What would Bernstein do?' " For musical director David Oppenheim, the mix of styles is what makes Lipson's music so unique, "Sometimes it sounds like folk music, and other times like classical or opera - but the end product is something new and innovative, unlike anything I've heard before."

Co-director Alison Darcy is thrilled about mounting this show, "There have been so many versions of this story told, so many productions done throughout time. The Greeks created theatre- what a history to be a part of! All of the play's themes are as relevant today as they were in antiquity." For Darcy, the story touches on many issues of interest, "The play is as much about Medea's famous horrific act as it is about how all the people involved let that horrific act happen - the impotency of the catalysts and the bystanders."

Joseph Shragge, co-translator of the piece with Andreas Apergis, is captivated by the draw the title character has, "It's fascinating the way Medea gets you on her side. There are so many scenes of her manipulating people and yet I still feel pity for her, as well as exhilaration." Shragge and Apergis constantly went back to the Greek to make sure they were working in the spirit of the ancient. For Andreas, being of Greek heritage, it was a privilege to be able to read the original text, "Reading this story and playwright in my mother tongue profoundly changed my understanding of the play and the characters that inhabit it." Stylistically for Shragge, the translation is rooted in the modern, "I drew a lot from American poets like Elizabeth Bishop and Ann Sexton as well as from Canadian poet Ann Carson."

Founder and former Centaur Theatre Artistic Director Maurice Podbrey says he is more than a little overwhelmed at the prospect of treading those boards again, "It was early 1970 with The Odd Couple that I first performed at the Centaur and now, 40 years later, my daughter Alison and her co-director Andreas have taken the brave decision to cast me in Medea as King Aegeas." He jokes, "It's not a big part but I've grown a big beard for it..."

France Rolland will be playing Medea opposite Andreas Apergis as Jason. The rest of the talented cast includes George Bekiaris, Stefanie Buxton, Dusan Dukic, Diana Fajrajsl, Holly Gauthier-Frankel, Alex Ivanovici, Gitanjali Jain, Maurice Podbrey, Melissa Trottier, Lindsay Wilson, Elijah Flomen, Thomas Rolland Apergis and musician John Dodge. Set and costume design by Amy Keith, lighting design by David Perreault Ninacs and production/stage management by Melanie St-Jacques.

About Scapegoat Carnivale Theatre

Scapegoat Carnivale is a respected and awarded independent company becoming lauded for presenting original, vibrant new versions of theatre classics involving large casts and live music. They are dedicated to producing exciting new works based on provocative dramaturgical concepts and approaches that expand the limits of theatre and take the medium in unexpected new directions. Of special interest are plays or texts that mix popular and experimental forms, employ heightened or poetic language and are expressionistic, slightly unsettling or unreal. The company is made up of writers, actors, directors and stage managers whose mission it is to experiment with new methods and collaborate with artists and performers from diverse artistic traditions. Past productions include Life is a Dream (nominated for three MECCA awards), The Works, written by Joseph Shragge (first runner up for the Centaur Theatre's Best Production award, 2007 Montreal Fringe Festival) and Last Call, written by Holly O'Brien (winner of the MECCA award for best actor 2006). Company founders are Andreas Apergis, Alison Darcy, David Oppenheim, Joseph Shragge and Melanie St-Jacques.

"I have many ways to make them dead, but which one to use, my friends?" - Medea

Medea Oct. 21-30 (eight shows only)

At Centaur Theatre

453 St François-Xavier

Thursday to Saturday, 8:30 pm

Sunday October 24 at 7:30pm

Matinee: Wednesday, October 27 at 1:00 pm

$20 regular/$16 students, seniors, Centaur subscribers/$14 groups

Reservations: 514-288-3161

www.scapegoatcarnivaletheatre.com

 

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