Neither fog nor cold nor dread of night could keep the actors and actresses from performing in the outdoor venue at the Getty Villa. With a capacity audience braving the crazy weather that besieged Los Angeles before the heat wave, the show went on and a wonderful show it was.
“Elektra,” written by Sophocles, is a forceful theater piece that is exciting as performed in the Getty amphitheater, much like it was probably done more than 2,000 years ago. The story revolves around Elektra whose father, King Agamemnon, has been killed by her mother, Clytemnestra, and lover, Aegisthus. Set on revenge, she refuses to stop wailing and howling and is therefore banished from the palace.
She is admonished by her sister who insists that one must make the best of things. But Elektra seeks justice in the form of her brother, Orestes, who she feels must kill the murderers. Well, this is Greek tragedy, after all, and it is delightful to see it brought to life by a dedicated group of performers. The impeccable translation by Timberlake Wertenbaker conveys the cadence of the Greek language and illuminates the tragedy. Carey Perloff deserves credit for directing with forceful simplicity.
The acting is acceptable, if not top notch, but things change with the appearance of Pamela Reed as Clytemnestra. Her acting is at the highest level and it is thrilling to watch her. Others in the cast are Annie Purcell as Elektra, Linda Park as her sister Chrysothemis, Manoel Felciano as Orestes, Tyrees Allen as Aegisthus and Jack Willis as the tutor. Olympia Dukakis plays the chorus all by herself. The musical accompaniment by cello and drum is creative and provides just the right touch.
As Eugene O’Neill wrote, “Mourning Becomes Elektra” and this production explains it all.