Modern Greek tragedy Iphigenia, or the sacrifices of a young woman in nine movements will debut at the Hope Theatre in Islington.
Iphigenia is a regular teenage girl on the verge of becoming a woman, whatever that means. Bursting with desires, fears, dreams, and a whole lot more she hasn’t figured out yet. She’s also about to be slaughtered as a sacrifice to the gods.
Iphigenia; or, the sacrifices of a young woman in nine movements tells the tragic tale of the forces behind a young girl’s demise and the mother who feels she must allow it to happen.
Alongside documentary interviews with parents and children, we witness a series of private moments set in the confines of Iphigenia’s childhood bedroom as she reconciles her own desires against the role she is asked to play.
We catch her in the most intimate moments — the moments in-between the acts — those not normally seen in our epic dramas. As her life is shaped by the decisions of others seemingly outside her control, Iphigenia is pushed towards the ultimate sacrifice.
Iphigenia takes another look at the expectation of women as sacrificial and self-sacrificing. Iphigenia, who, (fundamental as she is to the advancement of the male-driven plot), is revered as dutiful and beautiful as long as she remains expendable, and what’s more, willing to make herself so. Her mother Clytemnestra, retains her power, and is therefore reviled as a vengeful, bloodthirsty evil, and a promiscuous adulterer to boot.
Along with a stellar creative team, Iphigenia is the creation of Australian theatre director Elsie Yager, who creates genre-bending adaptations that appropriate and queer the form of classic myths to tell us something about here and now. Iphigenia is her first piece made for the London stage.
Iphigenia is at Hope Theatre 10th – 28th January 2023
