Moira Buffini re-imagines the Thebes of Greek mythology as a contemporary
Liberia-like state, turning Eurydice, the usually silent wife of Creon, into
his widow and putting her centre stage as elected president of a new
democracy made bankrupt by civil war.
After an intermittently slow first half, this skilful reworking springs back
to life when the promise of aid from David Harewood’s imposing, Obama-like
Theseus, first citizen of superpower Athens, is threatened both by the
refusal of Nikki Amuka-Bird’s Eurydice to be treated as anything but an
equal and by the scheming opposition.
Confidently directed by Richard Eyre, this is a big, brave, ambitious
production, combining a playful attitude to the source material with
unflinching honesty about the devastation of war and the eternally tricksy
nature of political manoeuvring.
3/5
Olivier at the National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX
020 7452 3000
Waterloo tube
nationaltheatre.org.uk
Currently in rep until 19th August
but has been extended – dates not yet available
£10 – £30 as part of the
Travelex season
Review: Louise Kingsley
