
Staff Writer
Passion, vindictiveness, violence, revenge, redemption … but no sex. And thereby lies the tale of “Hippolytos,” the 2,000-year-old tragedy by Euripides, which is being given an engrossing staging at the Getty Villa in Malibu.
Because Hippolytos angers Aphrodite, the goddess of love, by choosing to remain “pure,” the consequences are tragic. The audience is transported back in time as the drama unfolds in the new Barbara and Lawrence Fleischman outdoor theater.
A sense of authenticity pervades the drama, in the costumes, the acting, the few props and the famous Greek Chorus. Presented without intermission, and running for almost two hours, this initial theater piece at the newly renovated Getty Villa is being presented this month in conjunction with an exhibit called “Enduring Myth: The Tragedy of Hippolytos and Phaidra.”
The story is an ancient one, which has been used not only by playwrights, but also by painters, poets, craftsmen and even screenwriters. Through the machinations of Aphrodite, Phaidra, who is married to King Theseus of Athens, falls in love with her stepson, Hippolytos. He rejects her advances. Incensed because he worships Artemis, the virgin goddess of the hunt, Phaedra punishes him for failing to use his manhood.
The translation by Anne Carson makes the play seem modern but one can sense kinship with the original material. Stephen Sachs’ directing is nothing short of brilliant. Although the “stage” is bare, he has arranged the scenes to give a sense of movement and involvement in the action. The few props are used to advantage and the reenactment of Hippolytos’ fatal chariot ride is inspired. No doubt much credit must also go to the choreographer, Tamica Washington-Miller.
The actors are all up to the challenge. Especially telling are the performances of Linda Purl as Phaidra and Fran Bennett as her nurse. The interplay of these two is powerful. The nurse’s role is pivotal as she discovers her mistress’ secret and offers misguided advice. Young Hippolytos is believable as played by Paul Moore, who comes through literally bloody, if not unbowed. King Theseus is formidable in the hands of Morlan Higgins, who has the difficult task of acknowledging his error of judgment.
The villainess in the piece is Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who is the cause of all the mischief. She is played by Sara Ribard, appropriately beautiful and voluptuous. Artemis appears, armed with bow and arrow, in the form of Blake Lindsley. Members of the female chorus are Erin Bennett, Melody Butiu, Elizabeth Tobias, Shannon Warne and Jules Willcox. The male chorus consists of Stuart Ambrose, Michael Dalager, Josh Gordon, Noel Orput and Sterling Sulieman. They all make important contributions in interpreting the music of David O.
Because the setting is bare, it is up to the costume designer to call up the Ages of Heroes of ancient Greece and this is accomplished handsomely by Ann Closs-Farley. From the scarves of the young women to the body paintings of the men, everything bespeaks authenticity as well as imagination.
Of course, Aphrodite rules in the world today.
Performances will take place on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 23. Tickets are $38 ($32 for seniors and students) and can be obtained online at www.getty.edu or by calling 310.440.7300. This is a unique theatrical experience.