Thyestes (2010) program

TOWER THEATRE 16 SEPTEMBER - 3 OCTOBER, 2010

THYESTES THE HAYLOFT PROJECT MALTHOUSE THEATRE PRESENTS

SYNOPSIS Ancient Greece, The Kingdom of Pisa.

King Pelops has declared his bastard child Chrysippus heir to the throne. His queen Hippodamia convinces Pelop’s rightful heirs, her sons Atreus and Thyestes, to kill their half-brother.

Upon discovering the murder of Chrysippus, Pelops exiles Atreus and Thyestes along with their mother.

Unable to bear the separation from her husband and the humiliation of exile, Hippodamia kills herself.

Through various political manoeuvrings, Atreus and Thyestes have found themselves joint kings of Mycenae.

Atreus chooses a wife, Aerope. An agreement is made between the brothers to take it in turns to rule, and that whoever is on the throne takes possession of a golden ram.

Menelaus

After years of calm rule, Thyestes steals the golden ram and seduces Atreus’ wife Aerope.

Thyestes taunts Atreus that he will only return the kingdom when the sun moves backwards through the sky. Atreus enlists the help of the god Hermes and achieves this miraculous feat.

Although back in power, Atreus is unable to put thoughts of revenge out of his mind. He plots to kill his brother’s children and feed them to him. This atrocity is dedicated to his grandfather Tantulus, who fed his son Pelops to the Olympian gods in a test of their omniscience.

In this production of Thyestes, the House of Atreus is aligned as follows...

Atreus’ plan succeeds. Invited back for a reconciliatory feast, Thyestes unwittingly eats his own children.

Driven mad by this horrific act, Thyestes consults an oracle, and is told that a child by his own daughter Pelopia will one day kill Atreus.

Discovering her at a feast in the forest one night, Thyestes rapes Pelopia, who is unaware of the identity of her assailant. She does, however, manage to steal his sword.

Pelopia travels to Mycenae and comes to the attention of Atreus, who, ignorant of her identity decides to marry her.

He takes in her illegitimate son and the product of her rape, Aegisthus, and vows to raise him as his own son.

Despite the marriage, Pelopia is unable to recover from the trauma of her rape and kills herself.

House of Atreus

Hippodamia

Naiad

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Thyestes

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Pelops

Aerope

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Atreus

Axioche

Chrysippus

Agamemmon

Anon

Tantalus

When Aegisthus reaches adulthood, Atreus gives him the sword that Pelopia stole from her rapist and encourages Aegisthus to find him and kill him.

Pelopia

Following the trail of the sword, Aegisthus discovers Thyestes, who reveals the horrors committed by Atreus at the feast. He returns to Atreus and avenges his true father Thyestes.

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Menelaus

Thyestes

Aegisthus

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

MALTHOUSE THEATRE PRESENTS

THE HAYLOFT PROJECT

THYESTES

We are our myths.

These myths are real. They have repeated themselves endlessly throughout history with minor changes in name and location. They continue to repeat themselves in our time. They are not distant representations of the vagaries of a time gone by. The fascinations of the Greeks and Romans are barely different to our contemporary obsessions. The epic dimension is misleading: on closer inspection even the most absurdly epic tale of incest, murder, rape, infidelity, transmogrification or resurrection reflects something within us waiting to express itself. The Greeks had the courage to make their metaphors extreme, unsettling and almost indistinguishable from reality; the Romans had the brazenness to bring these images from off-stage to centre-stage with a terrifying realism. Artaud had nothing on the Romans.

CO-WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY SIMON STONE AFTER SENECA CO-WRITTEN & PERFORMED BY THOMAS HENNING, CHRIS RYAN, MARK LEONARD WINTER SET & COSTUME DESIGNER CLAUDE MARCOS LIGHTING DESIGNER GOVIN RUBEN SOUND DESIGNER STEFAN GREGORY STAGE MANAGER CAITLIN BYRNE BESEN FAMILY ARTIST PROGRAM (DRAMATURGY) & ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ANNE-LOUISE SARKS SET & PROPS CONSTRUCTED BY MALTHOUSE THEATRE WORKSHOP COSTUMES BY MALTHOUSE THEATRE WARDROBE

We present to you a series of moments between atrocities. Conversations amidst the terror. Glimpses of lives led in extremity. The mundanity before the drama and the long silence after it.

TOWER THEATRE 16 SEPTEMBER - 3 OCTOBER, 2010.

This production premiered in the Tower Theatre at the CUB Malthouse on 17 September, 2010.

The process.

This piece was conceived, designed, written and re-written by the actors, designers, dramaturge and me. The script is genuinely the product of four writers’ work. Thomas, Mark and Chris have dedicated months of their lives to bringing this project onto the stage and I have been blessed to have such talented and insightful co-creators. Anne-Louise’s perspective on our work has been indispensible and has often saved us from the more grievous of our errors.

Stefan, Claude and Govin have been extraordinary provocateurs, facilitators of insanity and ultimately great guardians of clarity and meaning. And thanks must go to Caitlin for steering this sometimes wayward ship of fools.

A MALTHOUSE THEATRE COMMISSION. THE HAYLOFT PROJECT ARE TAHNI FROUDIST, BENEDICT HARDIE, CLAUDE MARCOS, CARL NILSSON-POLIAS, ANNE-LOUISE SARKS & SIMON STONE. MALTHOUSE THEATRE’S COMPANY IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM IS MADE POSSIBLE WITH GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM THE SIDNEY MYER FUND.

THIS PROJECT IS SUPPORTED BY THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT THOUGH ARTS VICTORIA AND THROUGH INTERCONNECTIONS, AN INITIATIVE OF THE AUSTRALIA COUNCIL, THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT’S ARTS FUNDING AND ADVISORY BODY.

The Hayloft Project was founded in 2007. Our work – including Spring Awakening, The Soldier’s Tale, Platonov, 3xSisters, The Only Child, Yuri Wells, B.C. and The Suicide – has garnered critical acclaim, a Sydney Theatre Award, Green Room awards, a Melbourne Fringe award and sell out seasons in Melbourne and Sydney.

MALTHOUSE THEATRE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES ITS SUPPORTERS PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT PARTNERS MALTHOUSE THEATRE IS SUPPORTED

BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE AUSTRALIA COUNCIL, ITS ARTS FUNDING AND ADVISORY BODY.

MALTHOUSE THEATRE at the CUB Malthouse 113 Sturt Street Southbank VIC 3006 Box Office +61 3 9685 5111 Administration +61 3 9685 5100 Facsimile +61 3 9685 5112 Email admin@malthousetheatre.com.au www.malthousetheatre.com.au ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MICHAEL KANTOR EXECUTIVE PRODUCER STEPHEN ARMSTRONG ASSOCIATE PRODUCER & BUSINESS MANAGER CATHERINE JONES

We are an ensemble committed to shaping an Australian theatre culture that reflects and engages with our changing society, and to attracting newer and more diverse audiences to the theatre. We seek constantly to develop and extend our collaborative theatremaking practice, to find new forms, voices and narratives.

Our aim is to create intelligent, passionate, visceral theatre that lives long in the memory.

This program has been printed on 100% recycled paper using soya based inks.

Up next for The Hayloft Project A new adaptation of Gorky’s Petty Bourgeoise

By Anne-Louise Sarks & Benedict Hardie 4 – 19 December, 2010 Northcote Town Hall, 189 High Street, Northcote 3070

All text within this program remains the copyright of the author/s.

Image credit: Photographer Julian Golby. Pictured cover (L - R) Thomas Henning, Michael Henning.

CAITLIN BYRNE

STEFAN GREGORY

THOMAS HENNING

CAITLIN BYRNE STAGE MANAGER Malthouse Theatre: Thyestes (with The Hayloft Project). Other theatre: Magnormos Productions: Life’s A Circus. White Whale Theatre: Melburnalia 2. As Assistant Stage Manager: Malthouse Theatre: Happy Days.

As Stage Manager &/or Sound & Lighting Operator: Other theatre: Susan-Ann Walker and Sally Bourne Cabaret: Yummy.

Winterfall Theatre: As You Like It. 3 to a Room Productions / Midsumma Festival: The Pyramid. Bryant & Frank Productions: Once We Lived Here. Education: Charles Sturt University, Bachelor of Arts Communication & Theatre Media.

STEFAN GREGORY SOUND DESIGNER Malthouse Theatre: Thyestes (with The Hayloft Project). Other theatre: Company B: Measure For Measure, That Face, Peribanez (as guitarist). Sydney Theatre Company: The War of the Roses, Frankenstein. The Hayloft Project: B.C. B Sharp / Arts Radar: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk. B Sharp / Small Things Productions: Ladybird. B Sharp / Frogbattleship: 2,000 Feet Away. B Sharp / The Working Group: Faustus.

Griffin Theatre Company: The Call. Bareboards Productions & Griffin Independent: Crestfall.

Bell Shakespeare: King Lear, Hamlet, Othello.

Bands: Faker. Awards: Jack Award for Best Newcomer (Faker), Platinum Single (This Heart Attack, Faker), ARIA nominations for Best Group, Single of the Year & Best Rock Album (Faker).

THOMAS HENNING PERFORMER & CO-WRITER Malthouse Theatre: Thyestes (with The Hayloft Project), Avast & Avast II: The Welshman

CLAUDE MARCOS

SIMON STONE

GOVIN RUBEN

Cometh (with The Black Lung Theatre). Other theatre: The Hayloft Project: 3xSisters, The Only Child. As Writer & Director: The Black Lung Theatre: Rubeville, Glasoon, Avast - A Musical Without Music. Other: Co-Creator & Director of The Black Lung Theatre.

CLAUDE MARCOS SET & COSTUME DESIGNER Malthouse Theatre: Thyestes (with The Hayloft Project), The Trial (with Sydney Theatre Company & ThinIce). Other theatre: The Hayloft Project: 3xSisters, The Only Child, B.C. Melbourne Theatre Company: Dead Man’s Cell Phone. Sydney Theatre Company / ThinIce: The Duel. Arts Radar and B Sharp: Thom Pain (based on nothing). Union House Theatre: Rhinoceros. Black Swan State Theatre Company: Woyzeck, Honour. Perth Theatre Company: The Goat or Who is Sylvia?, Loveplay, Glorious!, Speed-the-Plow. ThinIce: The Goose Chase, Red Shoes. Exhibitions: UNIMA Festival 2007: Million Puppets Projects. Awards: 2009 Green Room Awards nomination for Best Design, 2008 and 2007 Equity Guild Awards, 2008 Young People and the Arts Fellowship. 2007 New Concepts grant to attend Prague Quadrennial. Currently: Associate Artist for The Hayloft Project.

GOVIN RUBEN LIGHTING DESIGNER Malthouse Theatre: Thyestes (with The Hayloft Project), Avast & Avast II: The Welshman Cometh (with The Black Lung Theatre). Other theatre: Sydney Theatre Company / The Border Project: Vs Macbeth.

CHRIS RYAN PERFORMER & CO-WRITER Malthouse Theatre: Thyestes (with The Hayloft Project), Elizabeth – Almost By Chance

CHRIS RYAN

ANNE-LOUISE SARKS

A Woman. Other theatre: Company B: Measure for Measure,The Promise. Griffin Theatre Company: Concussion (with Sydney Theatre Company), The Call. Melbourne Theatre Company: The Hypocrite. Bell Shakespeare Company: Hamlet, Othello, Actors At Work. Full Tilt: The Man With The September Face. The Hayloft Project: Platonov. Victorian College of the Arts: Hamlet, Translations, The Three Sisters. Film: The Jammed, Numurkah (short), Skeletons (short). Education: Victorian College of the Arts, Bachelor of Dramatic Arts. Awards & Nominations: Sydney Theatre Award nomination for Best Newcomer (Othello), Green Room Award nomination for Best Male Performer (Platonov).

ANNE-LOUISE SARKS DRAMATURGE & ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Malthouse Theatre: Thyestes (with The Hayloft Project). As Assistant Director: Other theatre: OpticNerve Performance Group: Manbeth. As Performer: Malthouse Theatre:The Spook. Other theatre: The Hayloft Project: 3xSisters, The Only Child, The Suicide (with B Sharp). OpticNerve Performance Group: YES, Five Kinds of Silence. As Director: The Hayloft Project: Yuri Wells. Melbourne Theatre Company: Pre Texts (2010). Education: University of Sydney, BA Honours in Performance Studies. Victorian College of the Arts, Bachelor of Dramatic Arts.

Awards: Adelaide Fringe Festival Award (Yuri Wells), Sydney University Union Foundation Leadership Award. Currently: Adapting and directing Gorky’s Petty Bourgeoise. Directing We Are Doing Well for Forty Forty Home.

Other: Besen Family Trust scholarship for dramaturgy (2010), Co-Artistic Director of The Hayloft Project.

hayloftproject.com

SIMON STONE

MARK LEONARD WINTER

SIMON STONE DIRECTOR & CO-WRITER Malthouse Theatre: Thyestes (with The Hayloft Project). Other theatre: The Hayloft Project: B.C. Company B: The Promise. Red Stitch: Pool (no water), Leaves of Glass. As Adaptor & Director: The Hayloft Project: The Suicide, Platonov, Spring Awakening, 3xSisters.

As Writer & Director: The Hayloft Project: The Only Child. As Actor: Company B: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Film: Jindabyne, Kokoda, Balibo, Blame. Awards: The Sun Herald’s Best Independent Production (Spring Awakening). Sydney Theatre Award Best Independent Production (The Only Child).

George Fairfax memorial award. Other: Founder and Co-Artistic Director of The Hayloft Project. One of Australia’s 10 emerging leaders in culture by The Weekend Australian’s NEXT 100 series. Recipient of Goethe Institut travelling scholarship. Simon’s productions for The Hayloft Project have been nominated for 12 Green Room Awards.

MARK LEONARD WINTER PERFORMER & CO-WRITER Malthouse Theatre: Thyestes (with The Hayloft Project), Avast I & Avast II: The Welshman Cometh (with The Black Lung Theatre). Other theatre: The Hayloft Project: 3xSisters, Spring Awakening. The Black Lung Theatre: Kissy, Kissy, Avast - A Musical Without Music. The Eleventh Hour: The Winters Tale. Film: Blame, Triple Happiness, Balibo, Van Dieman’s Land, Playing for Charlie, Hell’s Gates (short), Advantage (short), The Tragedy of Hamlet Prince of Denmark. Television: The Pacific.