The Artistic Committee: Consultations on Producing Phaedra
Artistic Committee - Brief
You are the artistic committee of a present-day theatre. You are considering an application to stage Racine's Phaedra as part of your upcoming season.
Your opening position is sceptical: you are not convinced that a 17th-century classical tragedy would be successful either artistically or commercially.
You will be interviewing three specialists, who will each give a brief presentation in response to one of the following questions:
- This play seems confusing, because it isn’t clear who the real tragic hero is supposed to be (and therefore which actor would get star billing in our publicity). Is it Phaedra, Hippolytus, or Theseus? Can you clarify this?
- This play was composed to fit the conventions of French classical tragedy. We're worried that any production would seem boring to a modern audience, because the play doesn’t allow for exciting on-stage action. How could a production engage a modern audience?
- Racine’s plot is based on Greek mythology. Isn’t it a challenge to make the play relevant to modern audiences?
After each presentation, you will ask two follow-up questions:
- For specialist 1 (tragic hero):
- If the central tragic figure is unclear, could this ambiguity be turned into a strength by emphasizing the ensemble cast or different interpretations in the production?
- How could the play's marketing appeal to audiences who might prefer character-driven narratives to the traditional notion of a singular 'hero'?
- For specialist 2 (French classical conventions):
- Would a modern production risk losing the essence of the play if it heavily adapted Racine’s conventions to create more physical action?
- Could audience engagement be improved through multimedia elements or immersive staging techniques? Would these distract from or enhance Racine’s text?
- For specialist 3 (relevance of Greek mythology):
- How could we ensure that the mythological setting does not alienate audiences unfamiliar with Greek mythology?
- If you were to suggest one major thematic link between Phaedra and a pressing modern issue, what would it be, and how could the production emphasize this?
Specialist 1 - Brief
You represent a specialist who has been invited to advise the theatre's artistic committee on the question of the tragic hero. You are keen to overcome the committee's doubts about the viability of a modern production of Phaedra.
In advance of the meeting, you should prepare notes for a five-minute presentation in response to the question: "This play seems confusing, because it isn’t clear who the real tragic hero is supposed to be (and therefore which actor would get star billing in our publicity). Is it Phaedra, Hippolytus, or Theseus? Can you clarify this?"
Some points to consider:
- Phaedra’s role: Her internal conflict and overwhelming passions drive the play’s tragedy. Consider her guilt, forbidden love, and eventual self-destruction. Does her moral struggle make her the centre of the tragedy?
- Hippolytus’ role: His innocence, steadfastness, and unjust demise might align him with the archetype of a tragic hero. Could this resonate with an actor or audience today?
- Theseus’ role: As a character whose actions precipitate the catastrophe, Theseus might be thought to hold a pivotal tragic responsibility.
- Star billing strategies: Suggest how marketing could focus on the ensemble cast or adapt depending on the interpretation.
- Thematic focus: Reflect on how the play’s central themes (love, duty, fate) might align with the decision to focus on one character rather than another as tragic hero.
During the meeting, the committee will ask further questions - see their brief above. You may want to prepare for these.
Specialist 2 - Brief
You represent a specialist who has been invited to advise the theatre's artistic committee on the conventions of French classical tragedy. You are keen to overcome the committee's doubts about the viability of a modern production of Phaedra.
In advance of the meeting, you should prepare notes for a five-minute presentation in response to the question: "This play was composed to fit the conventions of French classical tragedy. We're worried that any production would seem boring to a modern audience, because the play doesn’t allow for exciting on-stage action. How could a production engage a modern audience?"
Some points to consider:
- Language and rhythm: Highlight Racine’s poetic style, which could be made accessible through a modern translation or adaptation. Could this elevate the play’s emotional intensity?
- Minimalism and tension: French classical tragedy emphasizes psychological drama. How could staging, lighting, and music enhance the emotional stakes?
- Creative staging: Discuss possibilities for dynamic interpretations of the Messenger’s off-stage action or Phaedra’s descent into madness.
- Modern parallels: Could the lack of on-stage action emphasize the timeless relevance of internal conflict over spectacle?
During the meeting, the committee will ask further questions - see their brief above. You may want to prepare for these.
Specialist 3 - Brief
You represent a specialist who has been invited to advise the theatre's artistic committee on the issue of Greek mythology. You are keen to overcome the committee's doubts about the viability of a modern production of Phaedra.
In advance of the meeting, you should prepare notes for a five-minute presentation in response to the question: "Racine’s plot is based on Greek mythology. Isn’t it a challenge to make the play relevant to modern audiences?"
Some points to consider:
- Timeless themes: Explore how the play addresses universal human experiences—love, guilt, betrayal, and the consequences of desire.
- Cultural reimagination: Consider how modern directors might reframe mythological figures for today’s audiences (e.g. feminist or psychological interpretations).
- Contemporary parallels: Could Phaedra’s struggles resonate with modern societal issues, such as forbidden relationships, mental health, or power dynamics?
- Modern settings or interpretations: Suggest how the production could creatively relocate or contextualize the story without losing its essence.
