女神羞羞研究所 is staging the American premiere of 鈥淧aradise,鈥� a modern take on a classical Greek tale, Dec. 7-10 in the Burg Theatre of the Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center. Award-winning director Leslie Swackhamer is taking the helm for the production by renowned U.K. playwright and hip-hop artist Kae Tempest.
鈥淧aradise鈥� unfolds the epic tale of Philoctetes, a once-celebrated wartime hero-turned wounded outcast, as he navigates a world filled with suspicion, revenge and the complexities of human relationships. Odysseus and the son of Achilles embark on a mission to bring Philoctetes back to Troy to help them win the war.
Directed by Swackhamer, an accomplished director known for her work with bold visuals, the play explores themes of consumerism, environmental collapse and late-stage capitalism.
鈥淔or Tempest鈥檚 鈥楶aradise,鈥� the all-female-identifying cast features women playing the soldiers, highlighting the performative nature of toxic masculinity,鈥� Swackhamer said.
Swackhamer notes the increasing relevance of 鈥淧aradise鈥� to the modern world, with themes of social isolation, cycles of violence, and collective societal trauma resonating deeply in the post-pandemic era. The play鈥檚 exploration of these issues becomes even more poignant against the backdrop of ongoing global conflicts and refugee crises.
Swackhamer, also the executive director of the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, discovered 鈥淧aradise鈥� when it became a finalist for the prestigious international playwriting prize. The play originally premiered at London鈥檚 National Theatre in August 2021.
Swackhamer, whose fascination with ancient Greek theatre texts is evident in her previous work, said she is thrilled to return to 女神羞羞研究所 after previously directing acting professor Lance Marsh鈥檚 adaptation of 鈥淭he House of Atreus: Part One.鈥�
For 鈥淧aradise,鈥� the production team has embraced the ethos of reusing and recycling, reflecting the play鈥檚 themes of environmental devastation while showing the plight of refugees as they use waste as a tool for their survival. The set and costumes incorporate materials sourced with sustainability in mind, avoiding the creation of additional waste.
Tickets are available online at okcu.edu/tickets or by calling 405-208-5227.
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