Last night the Saint John Theatre Company hosted Theatre Konstanz’s production of the Ancient Greek tragedy Medea, directed by Mark Zurmühle. This spectacular performance was the result of a summer visit to Saint John by the Intendant of Theatre Konstanz, Prof. Dr. Dr. Christoph Nix, in 2015. He toured the SJTC production facility and it was the beginning of a beautiful cultural exchange between the two theatre groups. In January 2017 the SJTC took its performance of An Enemy of the People to Konstanz in Germany. And last evening the SJTC hosted a special VIP performance of Medea.
Medea, fully performed in the German language, is presented with English surtitles. This dark story is about Medea, a woman whose husband Jason has just abandoned her so he can take a new wife – the King’s daughter. The King feared that Medea would not keep the peace with her ex-husband and his daughter, and so Medea and her two sons were sentenced to exile. In a plea of desperation, Medea begs the King to allow her one last day get her affairs sorted before she flees. He reluctantly agrees, leaving Medea 24 hours to plot the darkest revenge story ever told.
What could be more timeless than a tale about a wronged woman taking revenge? As the old adage goes, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. But this is no car-window-smashing à la Beyoncé’s Hold Up type of story. No. The Greeks go much darker. Those of you who studied the classics will know how this play, based on Greek mythology by Euripides, ends, but for those of you who didn’t I won’t spoil the surprise.
Starring in the role of Medea is Jana Alexia Rödiger, a permanent member of Theatre Konstanz. Side note: Germany has a robust system of state-funded theatres which employ permanent members; Theatre Konstanz alone has 130 full-time administrators, technicians and theatre artists. Jana has been with Theatre Konstanz since 2005 and prior to that completed her training at the Hamburg Actors Studio Frese. Jana was magnificent in the role of Medea. After seeing her portraying such madness and rage as Medea, it’s hard to believe she started out her acting career in children’s and youth theatre.
Playing Jason was Georg Melich. Georg has been working with Theatre Konstanz since 2005, and has been a permanent member since 2014. He completed his acting training in the school of theatre in Cologne and worked at a number of other theatre companies, including some freelance work, when he was not with Theatre Konstanz. Georg puts on a moving performance as Jason, a character who at times fulfils the role of the antagonist and at others the victim.
Equally impressive was Jorg Dathe who juggled a number of smaller roles throughout the play. His commanding presence was perfect for his opening role of King Creon. Jorg studied theatre at ‘Hans Otto’ in Leipzig and has had a very full career since. He has worked at several theatre companies and has also taught acting, directed, and lectured at Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy theatre school. He has presented for MDR culture, a German television production, and has starred in various film and TV roles. This is his second year as a permanent member of Theatre Konstanz.
The play officially opens to the public tonight at the BMO Studio Theatre, Thursday April 19th at 7:30pm, and there will be one more chance to see it Saturday evening, April 21st.
Don’t miss your chance to see this captivating and unforgettable performance with a professional cast. The tickets are a steal at only $27.50 or $15 for students.
The SJTC also announced last night that it would be releasing news of its 29th season for the 2018-2019 year Tuesday May 1st, at 5pm at the BMO Studio Theatre.