Blood, Betrayal and Greek Gods | Award-Winning Epic Makes Australian Debut in Newcastle
- intouch Magazine
- Oct 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 14
This October, Newcastle audiences will have the opportunity to witness the Australian debut of Zinnie Harris’ award-winning modern adaptation of Aeschylus’ Oresteia - a Greek mythology that follows a family thrown into grief after the death of the eldest daughter.
Harris’ adaptation, This Restless House, begs the question, “What would it take for you to stab to death someone you loved so dearly?” and courageously takes an originally malecentric piece of writing and places women at the centre.
Zinnie Harris' reimagining of the Oresteia opens with Agamemnon sacrificing his daughter to the gods; an act which sets in motion a bloody cycle of revenge, counterrevenge and family destruction. When he, in turn, is killed at the hands of his wife, Clytemnestra, their daughter Electra takes up the mantle of avenging her father, continuing the bloodshed until she too must flee the furies that hold her captive until peace is ultimately found in the rule of law.
After several critically acclaimed productions, including the touring production of Secret Girl Stuff that received multiple award nominations as part of Melbourne Fringe Festival 2024, Newcastle-based production company Cats in the Cupboard Productions is proud to bring the Australian debut of this award-winning production to the Newcastle stage.
Directed by Mikaela Corrigan, this theatre production leaves nothing behind and takes a fearless approach to bringing prolific characters to life on the Newcastle stage. Corrigan’s direction takes the heightened nature of Greek mythology to new levels.
This Restless House embraces the bold and emphasises the unsettling nature of a family once bonded through love and endurance, that has become completely undone.
This Restless House premieres at the Playhouse, Civic Theatre on 15 October with a strictly limited season, closing 18 October. For tickets and more information, visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au.
