Trojan Barbie a mesh of ‘myth and modern’
The cast of Waikato University’s upcoming Trojan Barbie describe the play in three words: harrowing, thought-provoking and relevant.
The show, directed by Gaye Poole, collaborates the talent of 15 Theatre Studies students and will be running for four nights.
Trojan Barbie follows the travels of Lotte, holidaying in Turkey, as she crosses paths with trojan woman.
Ancient myth melds with modern warfare.
Georgia Pollock plays Lotte, a middle-aged English woman.
The accent is not a problem as Pollock is English also, but it was embodying Lotte which was most difficult.
‘‘It’s funny because I feel she is quite an immature 35-50-year-old, so it’s hard as a young person to play an older immature person.
‘‘I’m slowly getting it,’’ Pollock said.
She performs alongside Tycho Smith, who plays Clive - as well as two other characters.
‘‘I've not played a lot of bad guys... In a lot of plays I've been the likeable funny guy.’’
‘‘It’s three smaller characters so there’s not as much, but you don’t want to just stand on stage,’’ he said.
Other cast members include Lily Empson and second year student Andrew Lyall.
It’s the first time Lyall has been credited as the villain.
He plays Talthybius, a character commonly associated with being the bearer of bad news.
‘‘I’ve not played a lot of bad guys... In a lot of plays I’ve been the likeable funny guy.
‘‘I was worried early on that I might be demonised by my fellow actors but I think everyone here is smart enough to separate character and actor,’’ Lyall said.
Lily Empson’s energetic and unhinged character Cassandra has the power of prophecy, to which no one believes.
‘‘This has been my most challenging role, just with the physicality and the violence with her speech,’’ she said.
Empson has had roles in musicals, and incorporates her singing ability in Trojan Barbie.
The play features mature content and strong language.
Written by Christine Evans.