Production of ancient Greek play delivers gut-wrenching sadness

War is hell, and emotionally so is "The Trojan Women." The Euripides classic is an extreme drama that shows the darkest aspects of human nature -- murder, plunder, cravenness and extreme arrogance.

For its first production of the 2005-2006 season, the Southeast Missouri State University Department of Theatre and Dance decided it would take on this Goliath of Greek tragedy.

I guess it was time to flex some tragic muscle coming off the heels of last season's feel-good closer, the musical "Guys and Dolls." "The Trojan Women" is an ambitious and challenging project to undertake -- not a big crowd draw like "Guys and Dolls" but one that will teach much of the craft to young actors. Faking despair isn't easy, but the cast of "The Trojan Women" manages to pull it off fairly well, sometimes so effectively that the gut-wrenching sadness is transferred to the viewer.

That's why "The Trojan Women" is hell. This tale of the utter destruction and subjugation of Troy's female population isn't easy to watch, but the tragic has its place in art.

Euripides wrote this famous tragedy as a protest to war, a way of showing the people of Greece just how destructive the drive for conquest can be. The two-act play has some admirable performances from the acting leads and manages to be worth the nearly two hours it takes, even for someone not familiar with Greek tragedy in the least, such as me.

The writing is, of course, classic, telling the story of the women of Troy after the defeat by the Greeks. The entire play takes place in a slum in Troy, as the Greeks prepare to ship the women off.

It is at the same time adoring of women and overtly misogynistic -- the play shows stoic strength in characters like Hecuba, but Helen is portrayed as a harlot who brought doom upon Troy, with a performance by Erin Island that comes close to comic relief.

Communication faculty member Ellen Dillon, wife of director Dr. Robert Dillon Jr., portrays the stately queen of Troy, Hecuba, with great conviction, flowing from despair to hopelessness to extreme anger in the blink of an eye.

The most touching and brutal moments surround the death sentence and burial of Astayanax, the heir to the throne of Troy. Christy Beckham is a real tearjerker as his mother, Andromache, as she hears of the death sentence. Dillon somehow harnesses the extreme pain of a grandmother burying her grandchild.

Selecting Dillon was a logical choice, because a young actor would be hard-pressed to portray the matriarchal spirit of Hecuba.

Strong performances are also given by Elisa Curtis as the mad Cassandra and chorus leaders Meagan Edmonds and Brenna Flesh, while the expressive dance choreography of new faculty member Hilary Peterson helps to add some motion to the chorus.

The costume design by Rhonda Weller-Stilson is painstaking and beautiful, while the lighting by Phil Nacy and music add an ethereal touch to the entire production.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182

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Want to go?

* What: "The Trojan Women"

* When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesday, 8 p.m. Oct. 6 to 8 and 2 p.m. Oct. 9.

* Where: Rose Theatre

* Info: 651-2265