Medea (2011/2012)
Kerry Frampton, Katie Fry and Jimmy Whiteaker in Splendid’s 2011 production of Medea (photos: Lewis Wileman)
Splendid Productions go to a dark place with a brand new adaptation of Medea by Euripides.
In Ancient Greece, the name of the monstrous murdering mother Medea was well- known. The story of Medea, the mysterious sorcerer-princess who helped Jason steal the famous Golden Fleece from her father, is a mythical romance with a terrible, terrible ending.
Splendid’s new creative adaptation puts the audience at the heart of the performance, as a kindly chorus of grandmothers presents a timeless tale of passion, betrayal and revenge. While history paints Medea as a pitiless monster, we wonder if the truth can be so black and white.
What does it take to drive a woman to murder her own children? Is there a small human story inside the mighty myth? And whose version of history should we believe?
In a series of inventive Brechtian episodes, Splendid’s powerful cast of three show how an ancient story can resonate through time, and how the simplest of theatrical ideas can have a devastating impact.
Medea tour poster design: Kerry Frampton
Splendid Productions’ ‘Medea’
Toured Sept 2011 – March 2012
Written by: Euripides
Adapted by: Ben Hales, Mal Smith, Kerry Frampton
Directed by: Mal Smith, Lucy Cuthbertson, Matt Wilde
Songs by: Mal Smith
Design by: Kerry Frampton
Cast & Characters
Kerry Frampton: Medea, Argonaut, Gran
Jimmy Whiteaker: Jason, Nurse, Argonaut, Gran
Katie Fry: Creon, Aegeus, Messenger, Nurse, Argonaut, Gran
with thanks to: Corelli College staff and students
More about Medea
“Oh, how they loved the energy! Medea demonstrated exactly what our students should be striving for. All of our year groups have been inspired to be increasingly experimental in their own practical work. beautiful choral work! Quite stunning.”
Kerry Hayes, Head of Drama, Douay Martyrs School
“You got right to the heart of the piece and for the first time, whilst watching Medea, it hit home to me just how relevant to people – women – of today it is… we discussed it for days afterwards”
Jill Haves, Head of Drama, Manchester High School for Girls
“Oh, how they loved the energy! Medea demonstrated exactly what our students should be striving for. All of our year groups have been inspired to be increasingly experimental in their own practical work. beautiful choral work! Quite stunning.”
Kerry Hayes, Head of Drama, Douay Martyrs School
“You got right to the heart of the piece and for the first time, whilst watching Medea, it hit home to me just how relevant to people – women – of today it is… we discussed it for days afterwards”
Jill Haves, Head of Drama, Manchester High School for Girls
“I found it moving and captivating”
Ravinder Jhite, Head of Drama, Halesowen College
“[The performance] reminded me why I love theatre… Directly relevant to Unit 4 and Unit 2 performances”
Amy Brassington, Course Co-Ordinator, New College Stamford
“It was a dynamic, highly creative piece which made a complex story and themes accessible to students of all ages.”
Debbie Rippolles, Head of Drama, Urmston Grammar School
“Students were quoting the show the next day with great enthusiasm. Very engaged in discussion, eager to contribute their thoughts in classes following the production.”
Victoria Buse, Head of Drama, Hampton School
“The performance is ideal for the written live evaluation – multi-roling, sparse set, song and juxtaposition. Also a wonderful resource for GCSE Edexcel Unit 3 Devising and A2 Devising.”
Leonora Penny, Head of Drama, Corfe Hills School
“Outstanding stuff – accessible, challenging, entertaining, thought-provoking. Polished and professional – an expert show.”
Mat Walters, Head of Theatre Studies, Hereford Sixth Form College
“Undoubtedly the most engaging and enthralling production of Medea I have ever seen. Splendid excelled themselves with this performance which quite literally explored the heart of the play! Their entertaining and educative Brechtian approach was energetic and impossible to take your eyes off from start to finish… quite simply the best performance we have seen this year!”
Trevor Harris, Head of Performing Arts, Stantonbury Campus.
“Brilliant. Myself and the students thoroughly enjoyed the show and it couldn’t have been better for them in terms of their exam.”
Ted Moore, Drama / Acting Tutor, Salford City College
“The kids absolutely loved it and came back to school today with a renewed excitement (and stolen ideas!) for their devised pieces.”
Shona Carter, Thomas Tallis
“I wanted to say that I think you just get better and better. Medea was the best of the four (five?) of your productions that I have seen – you retained the tragedy but denied us the catharsis which made it all the more tragic. A nugget of concentrated theatrical brilliance.”
Helen Stanley, Head of Drama, Rochester Grammar School