Iphigenia in Splott

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Iphigenia in Splott is a one-woman play, first seen in 2015, loosely adapted from the ancient Greek tragedy by Euripides' Iphigenia in Aulis.

The title character, Iphigenia (or "Effie"), finds escape from the harsh reality of her life in drink, drugs and one-night stands. The ancient Greek play is re-told against the backdrop of a crumbling welfare state and reveals the impact of austerity and social injustice on those who have little to lose.

The play has enjoyed international acclaim, having been performed in Cardiff (Sherman Cymru ), London (Lyric Hammersmith & National Theatre), Berlin (Schaubhne) and in New York (59E59 Theatres). In the UK, it won Best New Play at the UK Theatre Awards, 2015.

This Student Edition of Gary Owen's critically celebrated play includes a commentary by Lucy Jackson, which considers:

* The rules of Greek drama and how they inform this play;
* Its basis in the Greek myth of Iphigenia and the Euripidean play Iphigenia at Aulis;
* The context that unites a 21st-century audience with an audience in ancient Greece;
* Modern and ancient notions of tragedy;
* Owen's use of poetic verse compared with that used in ancient drama;
* Various modern interpretations of the Iphigenia myth in theatre and literature;
* Owen's representation of marginalised voices in the play and his portrait of working-class lives;
* The notion of female sacrifice
* Key productions of the play to date and notable staging choices

Notes to the play are included at the back of the edition to help students de-code some of the play's references.

Reviews

Gary Owens magnificent, eviscerating play still speaks to us about the sorry state of our nation [and is] a growlingly poetic meditation and call to arms in one... everyone should see this shattering modern classic. No one will remain unmoved. -- Arifa Akbar * Guardian *

Owens exquisite writing makes the scenes heartbreakingly vivid ... But the plot always gallops on, unfolding with a dramatic (and at times, manic) pace... Its truly mesmerising.

A mobilising and urgent attack on austerity politics and the cruel realities of their effects on the working class and most vulnerable ... this play is a vital watch: scenes will flood into your head days after, perhaps when youre watching the news. Youll feel unnerved. Youll feel angry. Thats whats so great about it.

Author Bio

Gary Owen is the winner of the George Devine, Meyer Whitworth and Pearson Best Play Awards. His other plays include Crazy Garys Mobile Disco, The Shadow of a Boy, The Drowned World, Mrs Reynolds and the Ruffian and Love Steals Us From Loneliness. With Helen Raynor he was writer and creator of the BBC Wales series Baker Boys. His most recent theatre work includes Perfect Match for Watford Palace Theatre, where he is a creative associate, and Ring Ring, a new version of La Ronde for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. In June 2015 he made his Royal Court debut with Violence and Son, directed by Hamish Pirie. Iphigenia in Splott for Sherman Cymru won Best New Play at the UK Theatre Awards 2015.

Lucy Jackson is Assistant Professor in the Department of Classics and Ancient History at the University of Durham, UK. Her research focuses on Greek drama, theatre history and classical receptions of the 21st century. She has published The Chorus of Drama in the Fourth Century BCE: Presence and Representation (2019).