The iconic Greek Tragedy Medea commenced at Queensland Theatre’s Billy Brown Theatre this evening. But there is nary a Greek state or marble statue in-sight. Instead, this is a contemporary reimagining of the myth from the minds of Kate Mulvany (Jasper Jones) and Anne-Louise Sarks, where the 2,400 year old tale of passion and revenge is instead set from the perspective of Medea’s young sons, 10-year-old Jasper and 12-year old Leon, residing in modern-day Queensland.
The set: a child’s bedroom, designed by Chloe Greaves, unfolding in-front of the audience as if they are looking into a world cocooned within a glass paneled fish tank. This literal pressure cooker ups the tension as audiences watch the last 70 minutes
of these young children’s lives – we can see in, but we can’t get them out.
The cast: The brunt of the acting work is being performed by four young actors, who alternate the roles of young brothers, Jasper and Leon. The cast includes 13-year-old Orlando Dunn-Mura, 8-year-old Edward Hill, 10-yearold Felix Pearn, and 11-year-old Jeremiah Rees. These four actors will hold the audiences attention for a majority of the production’s 80 minute runtime, only joined by Australian actor Helen Cassidy (Family Values, As You Like It) who plays the titular character.
Medea will run at Queensland Theatre’s Billie Brown theatre from today until Saturday 8 June 2024. For ticketing information and to book tickets for performances running an impressive six days a week excluding Sunday, visit the official Queensland Theatre website.
“This play is a completely contemporary reimagining of the classic myth. There are no Greek togas. There is no chorus to guide or warn us. But there is deep and extraordinary catharsis and two of the greatest protagonists in the theatre canon — Medea’s young sons, who show us this classic tale from the perspective of children.
Daniel Evans – Queensland Theatre’s Associate Artistic Director (Programming)
This is a tragedy in the classic sense: we watch human suffering and know terrible and sorrowful events will befall the characters. And there’s nothing we can do to stop it. But this is a candid and captivating, and sometimes surprisingly funny play, with star turns from our young performers.
Medea is a well-known, classic piece of theatre and mythology, but in the original work Medea’s children are silent. What’s thrilling about this piece is that it flips that and shows us only the children’s story.
Fiona MacDonald – Queensland Theatre’s Associate Artistic Director (Education and Youth)
What I love about this version of Medea is that it positions young people as capable of considering very complex and serious themes, both as audiences and for the young performers, and offers a classic famous story through a contemporary lens based in the world and culture of the child. Dan and the team are working very closely with the four young people and their families to ensure this experience is a safe and supported journey, wrapping significant care and support around them as these young performers embark on their professional debut that is unlike most young people’s first foray into theatre
This thrilling new vision of Medea takes a full 180 degree turn from the well-worn Euripidean path. Here, the scorned woman and vengeful sorceress takes a backseat to Medea the mother. Audiences will see her overwhelming heartache and isolation coupled with the immense tenderness and love she has for her sons,
Helen Cassidy – Actor Portraying the Titular Character in Medea
