|
Penelope* |
Aged 45, still physically strong and attractive |
|
Young Penelope* |
Aged 25 |
|
Telemachus |
Penelope’s son, a young man in his 20s |
|
King Agamemnon |
Aged 35 |
|
Young Ulysses |
Aged 30 |
|
Ulysses |
Aged 50 |
|
Agathy |
Suitor 1, aged 35, physically strong and attractive, represents might and sexual aggression |
|
Petroculos |
Suitor 2, aged 55, an older man, wily and treacherous, represents Sophist argumentation |
VOICES
|
Andromache |
Hector’s wife |
|
Astynax |
Hector’s son, aged 10 |
|
Siren |
Female |
|
Destiny |
Male that has Ulysses’s face |
* The Penelopes also become The Chorus (Classical Greek theatre).
I chose to have the young Penelope and the older Penelope addressing us in this way not because there is a division in their entity but because there is unison.
How many times have we looked back into our past and seen, and even addressed, our decisions? To be able to see the young and older Penelope speaking and answering questions together creates a visual intensity and unison of all her life.
For those that will read the dialogues of Penelope and Ulysses before they are set to stage, I will describe the rooms they are in so that you can see and know where these dialogues occur.
During the play we see young Penelope and the older Penelope coming to terms with the decisions and outcomes in her life. Young Penelope brings youth and freshness, playfulness and sexuality; the older Penelope brings wisdom and strength, seduction and determination in fulfilling her journey in life and her purpose in sharing her journey with the audience. Both are physically strong, tender, and accomplished. They project a striking appearance and presence.