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Drama on 3: Helen

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Drama: War & Disaster

Helen

27/02/2011

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

Don Taylor's translation of Euripides's tragicomedy about a war in the Middle East fought for the flimsiest of reasons. With Frances Barber, James Purefoy and Paul Ritter.

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.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

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