Saint Louis University Theatre has taken on the tough task of performing Medea, the “seminal drama of love, betrayal and revenge,” as so described by the fliers around campus. This classic, written by Euripides and adapted by Robinson Jeffers, is set in a post-apocalyptic future. Jeffers, who is widely considered to be one of the great American poets, took the basic elements and themes of the Greek classic but transformed it into something far more fluid by doing away with the time fillers found in Euripides’ version. Gary Wayne Backer has taken on the challenge of directing the production of Medea at SLU.
The stage, designed by Jim Burwink, embraces the cold, post-doomsday themes. The set design crew managed to portray the industrial feel through the use of different materials, such as wire and wood, which created a perfect backdrop to accentuate the setting. Among the cast and crew are two graduating seniors, Taylor Steward and Tyler Linke. Steward is playing the main character, Medea, while Linke is the stage manager. While working on this play has put a lot of pressure on Linke, John Lamb, coordinator of publicity and promotion for the Department of Fine and Performing Arts, is very confident he will rise to the occasion.
Medea is playing April 25 and 26 at 8 p.m. and then again on May 2 and 3 at 8 p.m., as well as May 4 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the box office on the first floor of Xavier Hall, or reservations can be made by calling 314.977.3327. Student tickets are $7 and faculty tickets are $9.
