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Written by Aeschylus, 458 BC
Performed July 27th through July 30th, 2017 on the Theatre Steps at City Hall After performing Aeschylus' Agamemnon, the first play in the Oresteia trilogy, Newton Theatre Company finished off the story of the House of Atreus with a combined performance of The Libation Bearers and The Eumenides. Upon returning home from a long exile, Prince Orestes reunites with his sister, Electra, and swears vengeance on their mother, Clytemnestra, for murdering their father. Goaded on by members of the chorus and the god Apollo, Orestes follows through on his promise, murdering both his mother and her lover, Aegisthus. After her death, Clytemnestra's spirit summons the Furies, a band of demons who punish those who kill their blood kin, and sets them on Orestes' trail. Orestes flees to the temple of Athene, where the goddess of wisdom conducts the first ever homicide trial to determine Orestes' guilt. When Orestes is found innocent and permitted to return home, Athene placates the Furies by promising them honor and tribute if they choose to remain in Athens and protect the city from injustice.
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Special Thanks to:
Chris Polt, Our Boston College Classics Scholar in Residence Linda Plaut, Director, Mayor's Office for Cultural Affairs Jeannie Smith, Asst. Director, Mayor's Office for Cultural Affairs South Stage at Newton South High School Theatre Ink at Newton North High School |