Theatre

Medea

"compelling viewing"

THE TIMES * * * *

"brilliant and brave new version of the play" THE SCOTSMAN * * * * *

"Rachael Stirling's central performance as Medea...thrilling to watch" THE SCOTSMAN * * * * *

"Medea...easily justifies its updating as Stirling paces and glowers" THE STAGE

"Rachael Stirling is extraordinary as Medea" DAILY EXPRESS * * * *

Headlong, Citizens Theatre, Glasgow and Watford Palace Theatre in association with Warwick Arts Centre present

Medea

By Euripides: a new version by Mike Bartlett

Wed 28 Nov - Sat 1 Dec 2012

Info

7.30pm

Directed by Mike Bartlett
Designed by Ruari Murchison
Lighting Designed by Johanna Town

"If there's a God, which at the moment I DOUBT, I want you to curse him. If there's any justice, I want them - both of them - in a car crash."

Her husband's gone and her future isn't bright. Imprisoned in her marital home, Medea can't work, can't sleep, and increasingly, can't cope. While her child plays, she plots her revenge.

This startlingly modern version of Euripides' classic tragedy explores the private fury bubbling under public behaviour and how in today's world a mother, fuelled by anger at her husband's infidelity, might be driven to commit the worst possible crime.

The production will be directed by one of the UK's most exciting and in demand young writers Mike Bartlett, who has received critical acclaim for his plays including Earthquakes in London (Headlong/National Theatre), Cock (Royal Court/Off-Broadway - Olivier Award), a new stage version of Chariots of Fire and Love Love Love.

Watch the trailer of Medea below

www.headlongtheatre.co.uk

Five star reviews for Medea

Sex, revenge, murder and a woman scorned in this modern adaption of a tortured Medea makes for compelling viewing"
THE TIMES * * * *

Headlong is one of the jewels of regional theatre”
THE INDEPENDENT

A touring company of generous unpredictability”
THE OBSERVER

Whoooosh! And indeed wow! Mike Bartlett's Earthquakes in London is the theatrical equivalent of a thrilling roller coaster ride. It swoops and twists, rushes and soars”
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH * * * *

Age: 12yrs+

Running Time: 1hr 40mins (no interval)

There will be a FREE Post Show Talk on Thursday 29 November.

Reviews

In Rachael Stirling, Bartlett, who also directs, has found a Medea who can both convince as a contemporary woman scorned and reach the dramatic heights the plot demands...the speech-free sequence in which Medea prepares fish fingers and frozen peas for the traumatised Tom to David Bowie's "Aladdin Sane", finally plunging her hands into the boiling pan to pull out the veg, made me feel sick. In a good way."
THE INDEPENDENT * * * * *

Click here to read the full review

Twenty years ago, Diana Rigg gave an award-winning performance as Medea. I saw that production...and I can say with some conviction that her daughter, Rachael Stirling, gives a performance every bit as thrilling in the same role in this new production."
THE TIMES * * * *

this brave and brilliant new version of the play...seems to be walking a high-wire between breathtaking genius and complete absurdity, the sense of danger only makes the spectacle more exciting, and Rachael Stirling’s central performance as Medea more thrilling to watch.”
THE SCOTSMAN * * * * *

Bartlett's chicken and egg question is whether it is the fear or the rage that drives Medea. It easily justifies its updating as Stirling paces and glowers, caught between both emotions."
THE STAGE

Ticketing info

Tickets: A £20.50 B £17.50 C £15 D £12.50 Concs. £2 off
Schools: £7.50 for groups 10+
Student Standby: £8
Groups 10+ get 11th ticket FREE.
Friends: £2 off per ticket, on top of concessions where applicable.
Saver: multi-buy discount available on this show.

Age: 12yrs+

Running Time: 90 mins (no interval)

Post Show Talk: Thurs 29 November

Cast and Creative

Creative Team

Director Mike Bartlett
Designer Ruari Murchison
Lighting Designer Johanna Town

Cast

Medea Rachael Stirling
Jason Adam Levy
Pam Amelia Lowdell
Sarah Lu Cornfield
Carter Chris Ettridge
Andrew Paul Shelley
Workman Paul Brendan