Stein's Electra

I saw The National Theatre of Greece's production of Electra last night at City Center. I've always felt there was something missing when I'd see an American production of one of the ancient classics and now I know what it is: Greek. The language matches the style so incredibly well. There were surtitles provided, but I only glanced at them three times during the entire two hours. The stage images the actors and director, Peter Stein, created were so visceral and mesmerizing that there was no need to follow 'the words'. In addition to the named characters, Stein had a fifteen member, all female chorus dressed in white. Their work was the best of all. They were so connected to each other that it was like watching a school of fish or a flock of birds. This was all enhanced by a single musician. The actress who played Electra, Stefania Goulioti, did a fantastic job crafting a complex hysterical woman who was feeling all the extremes of emotion. It wasn't a one note screaming-fest. She truly took us on a ride of anguish. Notable standouts were Yannis Fertis who played The Tutor, giving a wonderful rendition of the chariot story, and Kora Karvouni, who plays Chrysothemis, Electra's compromising sister. The actors playing Orestes and Aegisthus are the weakest of the bunch, and makes the ending a bit drawn out (the play essentially ends when they kill Clytemnestra). Overall though, I was thrilled to have the chance to see Peter Stein's American debut. I know in Germany he is considered part of the old school guard (we won't get into the whole 'Regietheater' thing right now), but I'm impressed with anyone who can take a classic like Sophocles and make it relevant, accessible and, most of all, vibrant, is alright by me. It's only in New York until Sunday, October 14th, so be sure to check it out.