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Medea: About Us
This production was staged from the 8th to the 10th of September, 2017. It commenced at 6pm on the 8th and at 7:30pm on the 9th and 10th. The show ran for approximately 90 minutes (no interval).
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Medea was presented at the Kew Court House in Naarm (Melbourne). Throughout the casting, rehearsal and performance stages of this production, the team involved in this show worked on the unceded land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. This always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
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MEDEA
By Euripies
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Despite Shakespearean Jeans’ company name, Medea was not written by Shakespeare, but by the Grecian playwright Euripides in 431 BCE. This dark and disturbing tale follows a woman’s battle between passion and reason as she seeks revenge against her unfaithful husband, Jason. In this modern staging of the play, Rachael Taylor stars as Medea, accompanied by eight women who make up the chorus and take on additional characters. Euripides’ poetic monologues are interspersed with visually engaging and powerful chorus pieces. In crafting this production, director Lucy Seale has highlighted the motif of swaying through the chorus’ physicality. Audience members too find themselves oscillating between the compelling arguments of both Jason and Medea in the heated build up to the play’s tragic climax.
Medea: About
The Kew Court House offers a real sense of intimacy, which pulls spectators into the action. Though this staging is fairly minimalist, it is stylistically strong; Nicola Dobinson’s chorus dresses enhance the vibrant quality of movement built into the show. Throughout the play, a large white sheet is utilised as a dynamic central prop - the audience watch it transform between a blanket, a rope, a dress, and a burial shroud, among other more abstract shapes. In this, their debut production, the Shakespearean Jeans team creates scenes of physical theatre which are as eloquent as the beautiful metaphorical language of the play. This is an exciting, modern, feminist interpretation of a classic text encompassing themes of manipulation, power, gender, otherness and violence. The company is thrilled to be able to share this epic Greek tragedy with an audience, especially those who are studying the play as part of the VCE English syllabus.
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Production Team
Director: Lucy Seale
Assistant Director: Nicola Dobinson
Costume Designer and Seamstress: Nicola Dobinson
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Design and Props Assistant: Jude Stewart-Kimber
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Graphic Designer: Nicola Dobinson
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Production Managers: Lucy Seale and Nicola Dobinson
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Producers: Lucy Seale and Nicola Dobinson
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Publicity and Marketing Managers: Lucy Seale and Nicola Dobinson
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Cast
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Medea: Rachael Taylor
Nurse / Chorus: Genevieve Simone Brott
Tutor / Messenger / Chorus: Emma Bampton
Chorus Leader: Bree McKernan
Creon / Chorus: Melody Rooks
Jason / Messenger / Chorus: Lucy Seale
Aegeus / Chorus: Tali Simon
Princess / Chorus: Alexandra Marshall
Servant / Chorus: Nicola Dobinson
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Special thanks to
Petra Kalive for the directing mentorship she so kindly provided Lucy Seale across the production.
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The Renton Seale and Spindler Dobinson families for their support and patience while the company was finding its way and working towards staging this production.
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Emma Bampton for assistance with rehearsal space.
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Suzy Chandler and Fintona Girls' School for providing Shakespearean Jeans with a stage for this production's dress rehearsal.
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Freya Solnordal for coming to the rescue with last-minute lighting for this production's dress rehearsal.
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Georgie Pynta for her photography at the dress rehearsal.
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Zoe Seale for her videography at the dress rehearsal.
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Bridie Cochrane-Holley for her assistance during the casting process.
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Tamara Ruggiero for her contribution to building the character of Jason, even though unfortunately she was ultimately not able to perform the role.
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The cast, for all their hard work throughout the long rehearsal process. This being Shakespearean Jeans’ debut production, it was very much a learning curve. It would not have been possible without the collaboration, time, effort and faith which the actors gave so generously to a company which had yet to prove itself.
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Medea: Pro Gallery
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ADDITIONAL NOTES FROM THE SHOW
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Content warning
This Production contains mature and violent themes, not suitable for young audience members.
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Accessibility
The Kew Court House is wheelchair accessible.
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This show contains bright lights and sudden noises.
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The venue has accessible bathrooms.
Medea: Text
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