Character:
Original Run: TBA June 2009
Venue: National Theatre, London
Directed By: Nicholas Hynter
Co-Stars: Helen Mirren, Margaret Tyzack
Genre: Tragedy / Drama


Plot:
The story comes from the Hippolytus plays of Euripides and Seneca. Phèdre, wife of Thésée, king of Athens, is in love with her stepson Hippolyte, who in turn (against his father's orders) loves the princess Aricie. When Thésée is absent, presumed dead, Phèdre makes an involuntary confession of her love to Hippolyte, who is horrified. On Thésée's return, to protect Phèdre, her nurse Oenone accuses Hippolyte of attempted rape; Thésée curses his son, who is killed in a combat with a sea-monster (his death, dragged by horses, is described in the famous ‘récit de Théramène’). Phèdre, racked by guilt and jealousy, confesses and poisons herself; Thésée is left with his world in ruins. The play is remarkable for the emotional power of the language and for the malevolent presence of the gods (Venus and Neptune), who destroy the admirable protagonists.

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