War Music
April 21, 2009, filed under: Epics, by LexLast week I was lucky enough to catch a performance of War Music at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. Based on the book by Christopher Logue and adapted for the stage by Lillian Groag, War Music is the Iliad come to life. I have not read Logue’s adaptation but have heard whispers of it (most recently here). After seeing it in action, I am eager to read it, as Groag did a terrific job with War Music.
Whether done as text, stage, or screen, any adaptation of the Homer’s epic is an ambitious undertaking. Groag and ACT do a terrific job bringing Logue’s words to life and envisioning Homer’s world. Logue’s poetry bristles and his occasional anachronisms only strengthen Homer’s ageless themes.
I was particularly struck with just how much of the Iliad was in this adaptation. The play is close to three hours (the first act only takes us to the duel between Menelaus and Paris). At the same time the play ends abruptly, the final scene shows Achilles in his new armor, finally taking up his spear (when asked why it ends here instead of Hector’s death, apparently this is where Logue’s adaptation ended).
Despite the ending everything is there: the counsel of the gods, Helen’s recollections on Troy’s ramparts, Hecktor’s march on the ships. For a classicist who’s read the Iliad countless times it was a real treat to see it come alive and adapted so beautifully. More information on the performance can be found here and even better photos here.
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Cool! I am envious. I’ve read “War Music” and its follow-up books, but I have yet to see a performance.
Comment by Jeff — April 22, 2009 @