In Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, the befallen Greek king contemplates self-mutilation as atonement for his sins. It’s a rather dramatic gesture, but considering the circumstances, severe punishment seems all but necessary. The lead in Steven Berkoff’s adaptation, Greek, sees the matter somewhat differently. Societal norms aside—what’s wrong with a little filial affection?
Robert McNamara’s Scena Theatre production of Berkoff’s Greek, which is currently playing at the H Street Playhouse, puts a bawdy British twist on a classical Greek tragedy. It’s a kinetic, dialogue-intensive production that dares the audience—and the actors—to keep up. McNamara and his small ensemble cast certainly deserve an “A” for effort, but the production falters in its rush to meaning. There’s a thin line between heavy and heavy-handed.
Berkoff’s adaption resembles the Athenian tragedy in many ways, but its creation was inspired by a more recent period in time, the Thatcher Years. While the play is set in present-day London, it was written during the early 1908s, a time of economic crisis, social services cutbacks, and foreign war. Oedipus is reborn as Eddy, played by Eric Lucas, a rebellious young bloke who’s grown weary of the empty, alcohol-fuelled machismo of Mother England. He leaves his middle-class home in search of the golden trifecta—love, wealth, and eternal happiness—and while he encounters all three, he also discovers a few sobering truths.
The minimalist set, which consists of four chairs and a table, creates an effective backdrop. The play’s chief delights are Berkoff’s witty wordplay and vicious diatribes, and the bare set seems to instill a stronger sense of physical freedom within the cast, especially when they come together to form a modern Greek chorus. Nana Ingvarsson, who played Eddy’s wife, had one of the most scintillating performances with a scene that wouldn’t be out of place in The Vagina Monologues. Both Danielle Davy (Mum, Sphinx) and David Bryan Jackson (Dad) delivered strong performances, wielding their words and their accents like seasoned pros. Unfortunately, their work was somewhat overshadowed by the subpar performance of Eric Lucas, who played Eddy. Lucas struggled with his lines throughout the entire production, which resulted in awkward pauses, missed cues, and general audience anxiety.
Whether or not they were up for the challenge, it is a testament to the work of Scena Theatre that they chose to present such a production. Berkoff’s adaptation is unabashedly English, so while it’s a hoot for Anglophiles, it may miss the mark for other audiences. Though McNamara and his cast have clearly set their sights high with Greek, the production is far from epic.
Photos by Mason Summers, from top:
1. Nanna Ingvarsson and Eric Lucas
2. Eric Lucas, Danielle Davy, and David Bryan Jackson
3. Danielle Davy and David Bryan Jackson
4. Nanna Ingvarsson and Eric Lucas
Greek
Scena Theatre
H Street Playhouse
Through November 27, 2011
703-683-2824
