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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Phaedra's Love by Sarah Kane
Verdict: Fatal illicit love
Edinburgh 04 -
Underbelly - 21:00 (1hr)
Hippolytus (Ben Lambert) lies glued to his bed by the snot and semen in his socks, and the TV porn channel. Surrounded by the detritus of half-eaten fast-food, unwashed underwear and decay, he masturbates.
At the other end of a red carpet is regally-enthroned Phaedra (Steph Pötschke), declaring desperate love for her dissolute stepson.
This ancient Greek myth is played out in the present - exposing the passion, lust and corruption of a rotten monarchy.
Hippolytus seems to get more satisfaction from playing with himself, and with the bright-red remote-control car he has bought himself for his birthday, than from any of the possibilities his position. With all his wealth and women, he remains inwardly unsatisfied.
Phaedra quivers with desire for Hippolytus. Her husband Theseus (Gary Adams) is safely still away at war. She declares her love for Hippolytus – a blow-job for his birthday.
But Hippolytus has also had had sex with his stepsister Strophe (Helen Bradbury), and dark possibilities are set in motion.
Revolution festers beyond the palace walls. The royal family faces humiliation and death. Neither Doctor (Gary Adams) nor Priest (Matthew Landers) can save Hippolytus.
The young company conveys the inevitable outcome well – a tragedy for monarchy, state and people.
Cast Credits (alpha order): Gary Adams – Doctor, Theseus. Helen Bradbury – Strophe. Jonathan Heron – Policeman. Ben Lambert – Hippolytus. Matthew Landers – Priest, Man. Steph Pötschke – Phaedra, Woman 2. Zoë Simon – Woman 1.
Company Credits: Director / Producer – Jonathan Heron. Designer / Stage Manager – Nomi Everall. Press Officer / ASM – Claire Hilton. Technician – Giles Burden. Company – Fail Better Productions. Artistic Director - Jonathan Heron. Company Producer – Ric Watts. Company Designer - Nomi Everall. Company Stage Manager – Dave Tanqueray. Associate Artist - Zoë Simon.
END
(c) Peter Andrews 2004
reviewed Wednesday 18 August 04 / Smirnoff Underbelly
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
