Helen [Drama On 3]

Don Taylor's translation of the savage tragicomedy by Euripides about a war in the Middle East fought for the flimsiest of reasons.

The Trojan War is over and the Greek forces are making their way home. Meanwhile, in Egypt, Helen of Troy is protesting to anyone who will listen that she is innocent, that she never went to Troy, and the whole war was fought under false pretences. When her husband Menelaus is shipwrecked on the shore where Helen has been taking sanctuary, she not only has a lot of explaining to do, but also an escape to plan.

This story of a war in the Middle East fought over dubious claims now has contemporary resonance.

Frances Barber stars as Helen, James Purefoy as her husband, and Paul Ritter as King Theoclymenus.

Helen - Frances Barber

Menelaus - James Purefoy

Theoclymenus - Paul Ritter

Theonoe/Chorus - Anna Francolini

Concierge/Chorus - Catherine Russell

Slave/Chorus - Laura Rees

Teucer - Gus Brown

Sailor/Messenger - Richard Galazka

Heavenly Twins - Max Digby

Music composed and performed by Derek Bourgeois

Adapted and Directed by Ellen Dryden

An independent production by First Writes Radio.

Don Taylor's translation of Euripides's tragicomedy. With Frances Barber.

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