The Play: The Penelopiad BY Margaret Atwood
"The Penelopiad' by Margaret Atwood, tells the story of Penelope, the dutiful wife of wily Odysseus, as she reflects on her life and the events of 'The Odyssey' from beyond the grave. Throughout her rumination, the spirits of her twelve maids, who were put to death upon Odysseus' return, interrupt her lengthy monologue with interstitial choral performances and cheeky observations on Penelope's version of the story. Penelope tells much of her story from Hades. In a chapter titled 'Asphodel' Penelope describes the various ways one might have a "fog part...and get a glimpse of the world of the living' through being 'called up occasionally by magicians and conjurors."
Join the seance and raise the spirits of Penelope, the dutiful wife of wily Odysseus, and her twelve maids, who were put to death upon Odysseus' return home. Based on Margaret Atwood's novella, "The Penelopiad', Penelope takes center stage to do some of her own story-making, but must endure periodic choral interruptions and cheeky observations from her eternally wounded twelve maids.
Join the seance and raise the spirits of Penelope, the dutiful wife of wily Odysseus, and her twelve maids, who were put to death upon Odysseus' return home. Based on Margaret Atwood's novella, "The Penelopiad', Penelope takes center stage to do some of her own story-making, but must endure periodic choral interruptions and cheeky observations from her eternally wounded twelve maids.
Photos by Lauren Sudbrink