Heroes and tyrants, Gods and Mortals, and ancient armies all clashed on stage on Sunday night. All of them brought to vivid life by one man, actor and co-writer Denis O’Hare, for the Australian premiere of the An Iliad. A captivating and engaging adaptation and reinterpretation of Homer’s Iliad by US collective Homer’s Coat, that forms part of the Perth International Arts Festival this year.
For those of you not up on your Classics, the Iliad is the story of the war between the combined Greek armies and the Trojans, famously started by the “stealing” of Helen. Even if you don’t know the story, you’ll recognise some of the big names – Odysseus, Achilles and Hector.
Though classicalists and purists should be warned this is not simply a recitation of the Homer’s original poem, it is instead a dramatic retelling, a reinterpretation that subtly blurs the contemporary with the classical. Providing an interesting and valuable meditation on the futility, horror and heroics of warfare.
O’Hare and Director Lisa Peterson, whilst contemporising the language, have in many ways returned the story to its classical roots in the oral tradition; with O’Hare as the storyteller, narrating the action, and bringing to life each of the characters, both major and minor in their own distinctive way, from the preening Paris, to the tyrannical trash-talking Agamemnon.
The strength of An Iliad as a production comes not only from the base excitement of the ancient narrative but also the utterly engaging performance from O’Hare who commanded the audiences’ collective attention unequivocally throughout his 90 minutes on stage. This is a show that highlights his versatility and suppleness as an actor, moving from raging battles scenes to mournful regret and remembrance with ease and poise. Despite the relish in which he launches into each battle scene, it is during the more contemplative and quiet moments that O’Hare really shines.
An Iliad is an utterly engaging and interesting production; one that I found to be not only entertaining and riveting but also thought provoking and, in it’s own way, philosophical. Featuring a standout performance from Denis O’Hare this is sure to be one of the theatrical highlights of this years festival.
An Iliad continues at UWA’s Sunken Gardens until Wednesday 26th February before a one off performance at the Albany Entertainment Centre on Friday 28th February as part of the Great Southern Festival.
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