PREVIEW: Medea @ Northern Stage

By Jack Gilbert on October 26, 2012 in Stage

A new version of Medea is set to come to the Northern Stage this Autumn and it’s bringing with it some rave reviews. The Ancient Greek tragedy written by Euripides sees the controversial story of Medea, betrayed by her husband following his return from the adventures of the Golden Fleece; she then takes her vengeance out upon her children.

This version of the Euripides play sees a modern twist on the story, as it is set in a present day suburban house. Rachael Stirling offers a new and interesting take upon the infamous character and adapting her to fit in with middle England. She has commented of her enjoyment of playing this deranged and narcissistic woman however, ‘I really enjoy and embrace her. Normally, the central character on stage, the wittiest, funniest, cleverest character, is the male: the woman is the foil. But Medea is the one who’s far more intuitive, far more insightful, far more funny.’

The play is directed by Mike Bartlett, who takes the action out of Corinth and places it into a commuter belt of London. Thus far the critics have warmed to Bartlett’s adaptation on the whole, with the Guardian giving it 3 stars and The Independent 5. It seems he has been successful in attempts at transferring of the script into modern day life, although certain critics have accused him of adding too much of the soap opera to this classic Greek tragedy.

The show will be running from the 30th October to the November 3rd at the Northern Stage.

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