Dear Editor,
I do not believe the play Medea by Euripides was suitable for a school presentation. Just because it is a Greek classic, it seems that some think everything is justified, including violence, immorality, and the murder of children by their mother, cloaked by the veil of "classic", whereas if the same play were presented in a contemporary version with modern language and clothing, as West-side Story brought Romeo and Juliet to a modern audience, we would be shocked and it would not be rated for family viewing or a school theater.
Greek tragedies of this kind are masterpieces and they do contain a powerful message and demand the best of aspiring actors and actresses. But, they are meant for an adult audiences, not for family entertainment which is what we expect of a school, where families bring younger siblings to see their older brothers and sisters perform.
A play about a deranged mother who killed her children to enact revenge against her husband? A serial killer that is mad at society and her violent reaction is presented as “justified”.
Imagine the emotional impact on children who live only with their mother. They would wonder every night as they fall asleep, would my mommy kill me tonight because she is mad at daddy?
Lately it seems like using children for revenge is a thing.
Parents should be consulted in the election of future plays scripts, and official school invitations should warn parents for future school viewings.
The OAP final line: JUSTICE IS SERVED. Is that so?
Maria Barraco, Blanco
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