Details

Tantalus is a modern theatrical epic, which for the first time, tells the whole story of The Trojan War. Though the roots of the story lie in a war nearly three thousand years ago, Barton's great chronicle for the stage is a sequence of entirely new plays which recreates in vividly contemporary terms the mythical sweep of this powerful epic of war, family and destiny. Featuring some of the most timeless characters in Greek mythology, including the beautiful Helen, the angry Achilles, the prophesying Cassandra, the great commander Agamemnon and of course the Trojan Horse itself, Barton's monumental piece of work seizes the power and potency of the Greek myths, whilst creating something entirely modern. Tantalus will be performed in three parts: The Outbreak of War; The War, and The Homecoming. Tantalus is a monumental work and Norwich Theatre Royal are staging two complete cycles from Wednesday 4th April until Sunday 8th April 2001. Each cycle's playing time is around ten hours (with breaks during each part for comfort and refreshments). Twelve years in the writing, six months in rehearsal, ten hours in the playing, Tantalus breaks the boundaries of theatre itself. Three thousand years ago, the Trojan War changed the world. Now Tantalus will change ours.

Cast/Performers

Greg Hicks, Ann Mitchell, David Ryall, Alyssa Bresnahan, Tony Church, Annalee Jefferies, Robert Petkoff, Mia Yoo, Elijah Alexander, Francesca Carlin, Joy Jones, Tess Lina, Tif Luckenbill, David McCann, Randy Moore, Christina Pawl, Nicole Poole, Juliet Smith, Mia Tagano, Vickie Tanner, Robin Terry

Creatives/Company

Author: John Barton
Producer: Denver Centre Theatre Company (in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company)
Director(s): Peter Hall, Edward Hall
Design: Dionysis Fotopoulos
Lighting: Sumio Yoshi
Music: Mick Sands
Choreographer: Donald McKayle