Mercer University’s Tattnall Square Center for the Arts was filled with anticipation and excitement for the opening night of "The Trojan Women," a Greek tragedy filled with terror, action and grave loss.
From scenes of brutal warfare to tragic moments of raw, unbridled humanity, the Mercer Players, directed by guest director and Mercer resident professor Jeffrey Green, did an outstanding job of capturing the essence of the Euripidean play, but not in the way one might expect.
The audience was captivated at every moment, sitting at the edge of their seats awaiting each action-filled scene.
The cast delivered passionate performances, with each actor playing their roles with intense emotion. The play began with an action-packed war scene, but with a modern twist - instead of bows and arrows, the ancient Greek warriors and women were yielding machine guns and tasers, setting the stage for a novel rendition of the tragedy.
The use of Kendrick Lamar’s "Humble" and 50 Cent’s "Candy Shop" as musical choices for the play kept the audience on their toes, allowing for yet another modern spin on the traditional play.
Despite the contemporary nature of Mercer Player’s rendition, the dialogue was consistent with that of a fourth-century play, masterfully mixing present-day and classical elements to create a constantly enthralling production, leaving audiences both surprised and moved.
Visually, the performance was excellent. The hyper-realistic prop of the corpse of Astyanax especially stood out, capturing the brutal reality of child loss in wartime. Along with this, the set design was successful in transporting the audience to a war-torn landscape, which reinforced the themes of the mass destruction and despair that occurs during war.
Overall, the Mercer Players’ rendition of "The Trojan Women" was a striking, entertaining and innovative performance that masterfully captured both classical and modern elements, creating an adaptation that wowed audiences with its thought-provoking and emotional nature. It was a night of theater that not only honored Euripides’ work in a way accessible to modern audiences but delivered a lasting impact, proving that the Greek tragedy is forever timeless.
"The Trojan Women" is showing at Tattnall Square Center for the Arts until Sunday, Feb. 23. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online, with Mercer students receiving a $5 discount.
Patrick Hobbs '28 is a psychology and journalism double major and first-year staff writer for the Cluster. When Patrick is not studying, he enjoys writing, singing in the Women’s Chamber choir, acting and spending time with friends.
