USI Theatre’s presentation of “Medea” by Robinson Jeffers is an emotionally stimulating adaptation of the Greek tragedy, leaving its viewers in silence at the final darkening of the lights and in applause when the performers bowed to the crowd.
The plot of the play centers on the struggling relationship of Medea and her husband Jason, leader of the Argonauts. Jason has left her for the king of Corinth’s daughter, and she is heartbroken and thirsty for vengeance.
As the story plays out, we see Medea’s descent into madness and the culmination of her revenge on Jason.
Spoiler alert: it gets bloody.
The cast of the show was on the top of its game during Saturday’s performance, and every actor brought their character to life.
Viewers could feel the hatred and anger emanating from Presley Roy’s depiction of Medea, and Antonio King represented the gradual devastation of Jason’s character in such a way that the audience had no choice but to sympathize with him.
Makeup and costume design also helped pull the audience into the play.
Medea’s striking red robe, her wild hair and tattoos on various parts of her body portrayed her as the crazed woman she was meant to be, while Jason’s body armor and soldier dress displayed him as a man not easily broken.
The nurse, the tutor and other accompanying actors also were dressed in ways very appropriated to their respective characters.
Scenery, effects and the set only helped to facilitate the mood of Medea.
The stage was quite unique with grungy metal blocks, twisting bars and ropes arranged in a seemingly random fashion, yet allowed for characters to position themselves above and below others for dramatic effect.
Behind the set stood three large angular pillars used as a backdrop for the action and often had images projected on them to represent what was happening in the background.
The lighting and sound also helped to exhibit the tension of the play with vivid flashes of yellow and red often accompanying loud booms, which occurred at the height of the action.
Overall, the performance of “Medea” by the USI Theater was a fantastic work of art with vivid imagery, emotionally invested acting and the enthralling storyline of a woman gone berserk.