Welcome to Thebes: Theatre Review

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The Actors’ Program stages an ambitious production of Moira Buffini’s acclaimed Welcome to Thebes at the Basement Theatre.

With a cast of 15 emerging actors performing in the intimate Basement Theatre, Welcome to Thebes drops you right into the last days of the Thebian Civil War. Though peace has been declared and elections held, partisans still wield their weapons of war, quick to jump on any unexpected sound or movement. Drawing heavily on classic Greek plays, Antigone, Hippolytus and Lysistrata, this contemporary play explores classic political and sexual themes and the eternal conflict between fate and free will.

The plot centres on president-elect Eurydice’s (Georgie Salmon) struggle to seize the reins of power after the war as her opponent, the warlord Tydeus (Jared Peeters), along with his partner in crime Pargeia (Manuka Luiten-Apirana), plots to overthrow her and destroy the newly found peace. Eurydice turns to Theseus (Aiden O’Malley), ‘first citizen’ of neighbouring superpower Athens, with a plea for aid to rebuild her starving, war-ravaged country. Arrogant and privileged, he claims to want to help and to offer her equality – but then tells her to dance for him. When she refuses and it seems the offer of aid is coming apart, Tydeus decides to woo Theseus himself.

Numerous subplots complicate the story. Oedipus’ son, the General Polynices, has been found dead and Eurydice declares he will not be buried, so his soul is doomed to walk the earth for eternity, which Tydeus exploits to rouse his followers. Oedipus’ two daughters,  Antigone (Isabelle Cushman) and Ismene (Greta Van Den Brink) both vie for the affections of Eurydice’s blind son Haemon (Connor Johnston). Theseus is deeply concerned that his wife Phaedra has gone missing. A seer, the hermaphrodite Tiresias (Vaiari Vaeau-Ivirangi), wanders through nearly every scene, commenting on the fate that awaits the key players.

Clearly set in contemporary times, (the mobile phone is ubiquitous) the themes are classic, and it often feels like a Greek play, which is undoubtedly director Sara Brodie’s intention. Unfolding in the centre of the Basement Theatre, with the audience seated around, inches away from the action, there is a sense of immediacy and occasionally, possible danger when a riot takes place involving the entire cast in the small space.

John Parker‘s set dressing and props are spare. Torn, white plastic curtains evoke the war-torn city. Lighting design by Rachel Marlow is minimalist, but effective. Jason Smith delivers excellent sound, with bombs bursting and helicopters hovering. In the small, almost claustrophobic space, the intensity of the action is palpable, and while the audience is not a participant, one has the sense of being in the middle of it all.

There’s some very clever costume design from Elizabeth Whiting. The Athenians are well dressed in contemporary western designer garb. The people from Thebes are attired in a range of pseudo ethnic, vaguely Grecian costumes in hues of gold and olive.

The cast is consistently excellent throughout, delivering wonderfully nuanced performances, especially Aidan O’Malley as Theseus and Connor Johnston as Haemon. 9-year old Hannah-Moria Toloa is a scene-stealer as Tiresias’ foundling Harmonia who wanders through several scenes singing with an unexpected pure, angelic voice that defies her age.

The one criticism I have is that with such a young cast, none of whom appear to be over 30, a make-up artist should have been brought on board to age several of the key characters. I found it particularly jarring in the scene where Theseus demanded Eurydice dance for him. An insult regardless of a woman’s age, it is especially demeaning to a woman long past girlhood and the power of the scene was diminished by the youthful beauty of the players.

Still, Welcome to Thebes is a marvellous, thought-provoking play and The Actors’ Program has delivered a polished and intriguing performance. I look forward to seeing more from these young players in the coming years.

Welcome to Thebes is playing at The Basement Theatre, Auckland until 16 November.

Tickets are available HERE.

~Veronica McLaughlin

Veronica McLaughlin
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