Alcestis

Euripides, adapted into English verse by Brian Vinero

Note

Not yet published.

Description

The God Apollo has tricked the Fates into sparing King Admetus when it is his time to die. Yet in exchange, Admetus has to find another mortal to take his place in the Underworld. After his aged parents refuse to step in to save him it is Admetus’ noble wife, Alcestis, who agrees to give her life, hoping to spare her children from growing up without a father. She dies leaving her husband alive, yet alone. Into this royal house in mourning stumbles the hero Heracles who is oblivious to the sad event that has come to pass. He will use his remarkable strength to assure that the Fates will not have the final word. This English adaptation of Euripides’ classic play is in rhymed verse to create a close approximation of the rhythms and poetry of the original Greek text.

Production Info

Cast: 9 total (2 female, 7 male, flexible casting, bit parts, a chorus)
Full Length Drama (about 100 minutes)
Minimal Set Requirements
Period Costumes
About the Author

Author

  • Euripides

    Euripides (c. 480 – 406 BCE) was a tragedian of classical Athens. He became one of the best-known and most influential dramatists in classical Greek culture; of his 90 plays, 19 have survived. His most famous tragedies, which reinvent Greek myths and probe the darker side of human nature, include MEDEA, THE BACCHAE, HIPPOLYTUS, ALCESTIS, and THE TROJAN WOMEN.

  • Brian Vinero

    Brian is a playwright, lyricist, and translator whose rhymed-verse translations of the works of Euripides and Molière have been published by the literary journals Asymptote and The Mercurian. Other theatrical works include an unabridged translation of CYRANO DE BERGERAC crafted completely in rhymed couplets, a modernization of Thackeray's VANITY FAIR, and musicals based on Rostand's CHANTECLER and Booth Tarkington's THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS. His musical, THE ALLEN STREET YIDDISH THEATRE PALACE PRESENTS: CINDERESTHER, has received grants from the Minnesota Regional Arts Council and Brin Jewish Arts Endowment, and his award-winning play, TEN MINUTES 'TIL CHRISTMAS, is being performed in many cities across North America. He has adapted novels by Newbery Award–winning authors James Lincoln Collier and Lloyd Alexander for the stage and has served on the faculties of William Patterson University and Regional Center for the Arts High School. Brian is an alumnus of the Minnesota Conservatory of Performing Arts, the National Shakespeare Conservatory, the Lehman Engel/BMI Workshop, and the 78th Street Theatre Lab, and he is a member of BMI, the Playwrights' Center, and the Dramatists Guild.

About the Book

Book Information

Publisher BPPI
Publication Date
Pages 78
ISBN 9798888560136

Special Notes

Special Notes

Licensees are required to include the original stage producers credits in the following form on the title page in all programs distributed in connection with performances of the Play and in all advertising in which the full cast appears in size of type not less than ten percent (10%) of the size of the title of the Play:
The following must appear within all programs distributed in connection with performances of the Play:
Alcestis is produced
by special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc, NYC
www.broadwayplaypublishing.com