On Friday 11th September, the Classics Society went to see Oresteia at the Bridge Theatre in London. The performance featured actors such as Mary-Louise Parker and David Morissey – both who were excellent. To set the scene, the Greek myth Oresteia follows the House of Atreus which consists of characters such as Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. During the Trojan War, Agamemnon sacrifices his own daughter, Iphigenia, to the gods to be able to progress in the war. On his return home, his wife Clytemnestra sets out a banquet and brutally murders him as revenge for killing their daughter. Later in the myth, Orestes – Agamemnon and Clytemnestra’s son – kills his own mother, avenging his father’s death. The Greek myth focuses on revenge, death, and the torment of a family.

The modernised play took this same backbone of the Greek myth and adapted it into a more familiar setting – a house in Sevenoaks set between the years 2016-2026. The play was performed beautifully with direct parallels to the myth, contemporary events, moments of high tension and vivid, graphic scenes (don’t go with a weak stomach!).

Everyone came out of the theatre in awe of the performance and saying that we would think about the play constantly in the weeks to come. Furthermore, the moving set of a house on the stage which spotlighted each room, combined with the contemporary setting, made the play feel as if these terrible events could be happening in our present day.

“We often speak in Classics that myths are a way of being able to separate themes from reality, yet it was quite hard to make that distinction and detach the themes of revenge and familial tensions from reality due to the modern setting in the play.
Overall, this was one of the best plays I have seen in my life and will need several weeks to process it in its entirety.”
– Matilda, Upper VI

“I think everyone at the Oresteia trip really enjoyed the play. It was phenomenal and a great modern interpretation of the tale of Agamemnon and his children with bloodshed, drama and intensity. The stage effects were really impressive, as well as the set and quick costume changes. The actors were exceptional and represented their complex characters very well.
Overall it was a super fun experience!”
– Valentina, Lower V