Medea and Jason

The once-married couple haven’t seen each other for thirty years, until they meet in Athens, both old and mellowed. They discuss the past, offering differing interpretations on events that shaped their lives many years before.

The Greek mythology of this couple is more than 2,500 years old – Euripides’ play was first performed in 431BC – and there have been scores of interpretations and translations since. Loucas Loizou’s story is a kind of sequel: a retrospective of the events, softened a little by time.

Loizou is also the sole performer, taking both parts, half dressed as Medea, with flowing locks and lipstick; and half as Jason, with shorter hair and a stubbled face. Turning to present the face of the speaker to his audience, he convinces us of each character, with words both spoken and sung. Medea’s guitar strings are nylon, Jason’s are steel.

Loizou’s storytelling is impeccable – he holds our interest and has us wanting more without needing to resort to shock or twist; and his songs are beautifully played and sung. Despite the sometimes awful things Jason and Medea have done to each other, their conversation is gentle and respectful, reflecting their seventy years of life. They’re painted as people caught up in politics, making choices to serve their kings, but also as those who choose love as their guide. There is an awful fascination in the calm explanations of Medea’s murderous ways, even though Loizou’s songs give them words of love and loss, not hate or revenge.

This is a wonderful perspective on an old story, lovingly told by Loizou. It will inspire you to find out more about the complexities of the people and their relationships from Greek mythology.

Jason’s purpose for wanting to see Medea is to get the truth: did she really kill her own sons in an act of revenge? Euripides says she did, other versions of the mythology say they were murdered by the town’s people in response to her revenge killing of Jason’s princess bride. If you want to know what really happened, you’ll have to see the show!

Mark Wickett

Photographer: Martin Newland

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