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August 17- August 24,2003 |
Phédre production worthy
Rare classic play by Jean Racine tackled by Soulpepper
By Bruce Raymond
Originally Published: 2003-08-03
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Nancy Palk as Phédre
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Phèdre contains all the elements of the daytime television soaps that continue to captivate audiences everywhere. There is lots of jealousy, a mother in love with her stepson, a son in love with a woman he is forbidden to marry, and a father who is trumped by a scheming servant into disowning his son and finding out too late that he has been wrong all along.
Jean Racine based his play upon Hippolytus, written by the great Greek tragedian Euripedes some 2,000 years prior. The former British Poet Laureate Ted Hughes translated Racine's play into English and the Soulpepper Theatre Company is presenting it currently in the du Maurier Theatre Centre at Toronto's Harbourfront.
Phèdre is the second wife of King Theseus of Athens who has been away for some time. In his absence Phèdre admits to her stepson Hippolytus that she is in love with him. Hippolytus is horrified and rebuffs his stepmother's advances. He is in love with Aricia, only survivor of the original Athenian ruling family that Theseus had driven out of power. Unexpectedly, Theseus returns. Phèdre is afraid that her husband will find out about her incestuous love and so concocts the story that it was Hippolytus who made advances to her. Theseus believes the story, banishes Hippolytus, finds out the truth and repents. Alas, it is too late. Hippolytus is dead. Phèdre loses her mind and eventually, like Cleopatra, commits suicide.
Phèdre is a role that actresses have long considered the greatest woman's part ever created. Fortunately, Nancy Palk is up to the challenge. It is mesmerizing to watch her as she goes from love-sickness to fear, anger, hatred and finally complete deterioration, somewhat like Lady Macbeth.
Jonathan Watton is not as convincing in his role of Hippolytus. He is too lightweight, almost like a teenager, and while his love scenes with Aricia are fairly convincing, his outrage at Phèdre and his father lack conviction. Diego Matamoros is a powerful Theseus, commanding the stage even when sharing it with Phèdre.
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