Groaning Trojans

The Trojan Woman of Euripides has now devastated me twice, which is quite enough for one lifetime. This is a play of unrelieved gloom and tragedy. When one of the characters raises her voice for a few moments to contemplate some less gloomy facet of the future, such as the delight of plunging a dagger into the ribs of her sleeping bridegroom-elect, one feels that the play is going to pieces!

This is an excellent production in every respect, except for the poor reproduction of the music specially composed by Douglas Lilburn. Gracic Gordon as Hecuba sustains a part of almost fantastic intensity. The chorus comes across with infallible timing and great clarity, no easy task with a group of a dozen. The producer, Maria Dronke, merits special congratulations.—J.R.J.