Medea and Prometheus. Two Archetypes of Greek Tragedy on the Stage: Ancient Theatre Festival - Syracuse 2023

The programme of the 58th edition of the Ancient Theatre Festival at Syracuse (11 May – 2 July 2023) presented two of the most renowned Greek tragedies to have survived, which also happen to be two archetypes of ancient myth. The Medea of Euripides, directed by Federico Tiezzi, translated by Massimo Fusillo, appears as a sort of Ibsenesque ‘bourgeois drama’ and focalises on the struggle between two cultures and two forms of violence: the instinctual and natural passion of an archaic society expressed by Medea against the conscious ferocity of Jason, who places power and wealth above feelings. The staging of Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound directed by Leo Muscato and translated by Roberto Vecchioni is particularly successful with its interpretation of Scythia as a desolate, decaying wasteland where the derelict ruins of factory buildings are the dominating feature. The physicality of Alessandro Albertin’s portrayal of the Titan Prometheus is extremely effective in rendering the character’s rage, suffering and pride and his refusal to submit to the will of Zeus.