Aeschylus' The Persians

West Coast Premiere
a new adaptation by Ellen McLaughlin
directed by Barbara Oliver
EXTENDED to October 17, 2004!

Aurora is proud to begin its 13th season with an adaptation of the earliest surviving play in Western literature. Written almost 2500 years ago, The Persians is Aeschylus’ firsthand account of the heroism and tragedy of the Persian Wars. It is the story of King Xerxes, who commands his mighty Persian armies into a war that defeated his father a decade before. But this time, his eager advisors insist, will be different.

American playwright and actress Ellen McLaughlin’s new version both “serves and uses The Persians with true power and grace,” states the New York Times. “It is more than relevant or timely. It is heart-wrenching and terrifying. We see the present and future right there, inside the past.”

"The shimmering new adaptation pulses with flawed humanity." - Oakland Tribune (read the full review)

 

"It's often as immediate and troubling as the latest headlines." - San Francisco Chronicle (read the full review)

 
 
 
 

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Biographies


  • Aeschylus

  • Ellen McLaughlin

  • Lura Dolas

  • Christopher Herold

  • Craig W. Marker

  • Owen Murphy

  • Charles Shaw Robinson

  • Paul Santiago

  • Lawrence Thoo

  • Michael Wiles
 

Production Photos

 
 

Production Awards

  • Oakland Tribune Best of 2004: Best Play
  • Dean Goodman Choice Award: Director (Barbara Oliver)
  • Dean Goodman Choice Award: Principal Performer (Michael Wiles)
  • Dean Goodman Choice Award: Principal Performer (Craig W. Marker)
  • Dean Goodman Choice Award: Principal Performer (Paul Santiago)
  • Bay Area Critics Circle: Best Production (nomination)
  • Bay Area Critics Circle: Supporting Performance (nomination) (Lura Dolas)
  • Bay Area Critics Circle: Best Director (nomination) (Barbara Oliver)
  • Bay Area Critics Circle: Best Original Script (nomination) (Ellen McLaughlin)
  • Bay Area Critics Circle: Best Original Score (nomination) (Chris Houston)
  • Bay Area Critics Circle: Ensemble Performance (nomination)