Chapter 11 Directing The Wife of Heracles (2010) for a Contemporary Audience: Footballers, Hairdressers and Dispensing the Poison

In: Hercules Performed
Author:
George Rodosthenous
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Abstract

This chapter will explore Rodosthenous’ 2010 adaptation of Women of Trachis called The Wife of Heracles which was performed at stage@leeds, University of Leeds. Heracles was reimagined as an international footballer superstar while Dianeira was re-envisioned as a hairdressing salon owner. The production took direct inspiration from the 2010 footballer sex scandals which were then contextualised and presented on stage as part of the updated action. Crimp’s Cruel and Tender also shaped some of the language and style of the adaptation. The author will discuss his directorial and adaptation techniques to explore how he used musicalisation, symmetries and improvisation to create a modern world for a contemporary audience.

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Hercules Performed

The Hero on Stage from the Enlightenment to the Early Twenty-First Century

Series:  Metaforms, Volume: 25
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