Greek drama this weekend at Tamaqua
It's serious business with the Tamaqua Area High School Drama Club where students will present a dramatic play based on Greek mythology. Front, from left, Isaiah Rivera, Sophia Gursky and George Hegedus. Rear. Holly Wagner, Aimee Hull, Zoe Snyder, Sarah Martinez and Alysa Schappell. DONALD R. SERFASS/TIMES NEWS
The Tamaqua High School Drama Club will present the drama "Daughters of Atreus" this weekend. Performances will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday and at 1 and 7 p.m. on Saturday.
The play delves into Greek mythology, into the lives of Atreus and his brother, Thyestes, who contended for the throne of Argos.
Written by Robert Turney, the play had a 13-show run on Broadway in 1936.
The legends swirling around the family of Atreus were among the most popular in Greek mythology, including the family's involvement in the Helen of Troy saga, as recounted in part in Homer's "The Odyssey."
The play is told from the viewpoint of Klytaimnestra, wife of Agamemnon, who was a son of Atreus.
The couple had three children - Iphigenia, Electra and Orestes.
The other son of Atreus, Menelaus, married Helen, the sister of Klytaemestra.
When Helen was seduced by Paris, son of the King of Troy, a great army was amassed, determined to return her to her rightful husband.
When bad weather stymied the assault on Troy, soothsayer Kalchas convinced the men the goddess Artemis was responsible and could only be appeased by the sacrifice of Iphigenia.
The main characters include: Klytaimnestra, Agamemnon, Iphigenia, Electra, Orestes, Polymnia, Kassandra, Achilles, Thetis, Fria, Euterpe, Nerissa, Nepthis, Sharardha, Aegisthos, Vortigern.
There are 84 students involved in the production, including cast and crew.
As the production touches on many adult themes, including adultery and human sacrifice, it is not suggested for audiences under the age of 12.
