Under a Red represents blood and gold represents power.he Oracle is in charge of starting ‘Medusa’. With his imposing voice resonating among the piedras The staging of this work, in which the monument is configured as a key element of the scenery, began yesterday at the Roman Theatre of Mérida. José María del Castillo is the author of this theatrical production, which will be the longest-running production of the International Classical Theatre Festival, as the public will have 10 days to witness the return that Medusa gives to her myth.
The show features a large cast of prominent actors such as Adrián Lastra, Mariola Fuertes, Ruth Lorenzo and Victoria Abril herself, among others, as well as the collaboration of the Extremadura Chamber Choir.
With the words «Glory to Perseus!» This gripping tale begins «a hero and a monster». A narrative that, thanks also to the chorus that accompanies it, manages to envelop the spectators from the beginning until Medusa appears to stop the show and not let the public believe a story told by a “a farce of macho men impregnated with fake testosterone”.
The play is a “multidisciplinary” tragicomedy that uses a variety of language, highlighting music, dance, stage design, plasticity and movement that tells the story from the point of view of the defeated. It is a reformulation of the classic myth. Narrated by Medusa herself, who is played by the actress Victoria Abril, it allows us to dismantle the story that we all know to delve into induced thinking, appearances and the fear of what is different.
The figure of Medusa is presented not only as a monster, but as a victim of prejudice. whose silenced truth now finds its voice. In the words of its director, the aim is to reach the public in a “precise” way. The production thus invites us to reflect on the value of silenced voices and untold stories. Through this reinterpretation, ‘Medusa’ questions social constructions where the focus is on the victim’s vision of Olympus and there are no moments of respite.
The scenery plays an important role in the performance of the play, where the fuego is projected in the figure of Medusa and the snakes The golden figures representing divinity create a mystical atmosphere. The red ground thus symbolizes the spilled blood, making the stage the perfect place for tragedy to unfold. Furthermore, the language of the Oracle is enriched by the use of her hands, adorned with long golden nails They add a visual and symbolic element which increases the power of their speech.
Perhaps, by the end of the play, the words “Glory to Perseus!” will no longer resonate with the same force. Del Castillo’s production challenges the classic view of this myth about its hero and villain, telling his story before he became a monster, suggesting that true glory may not really belong to who we traditionally thought. By allowing Medusa to tell her story, audiences may question Perseus’ heroism and reconsider who really deserves the glory.
Back to the table
The renowned Spanish actress, Victoria Aprilreturns to the stage after 45 years without doing so in Spain. At the presentation of the work, he declared his surprise and admiration for the director’s innovative vision. «This work presents a Medusa with great parallels to me»he confessed, highlighting the depth and humanity with which the character is approached. “It is the first time that someone has thought of writing what happened to Medusa before she was turned into a monster and we are finally going to do that justice in 2024 at the Mérida Festival, accompanied by the best,” he said.
For its part, Adrian Lastra He brings Perseus to life. This is the comic part of the show: “I do all the comedy, where I make a different Perseus, a hero with a bit of a twist, but all with a comic tone.” Medusa, Perseus and Athena herself will not escape a change of perspective when revising the original Greek myth.
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