The Pallas Theatre Collective presents The Many Women of Troy, an avant-garde musical tragedy. Six women, plus an ensemble, take us through tragic events in the course of history. Cassandra, played by Maggie Donovon, shares her “gift” with the audience; she is a prophetess, able to see catastrophic events centuries before they happen. Her visions torment her and take a toll on her mental health, and she hopes to relieve some of this burden by sharing it.
A soundtrack of all things horrendous (wailing sirens, frantic yells of chaos, screams of pain) accompanied by live, talented musicians provide a solid background for the women, who change costumes according to what time period they are in; from togas and Victorian gowns, to modern-day fare. Cassandra watches as the people around her repeat the same mistakes again and again through generations, honing in on specific events, such as the Holocaust and the Columbine shootings. While there are a few laughs cleverly written in to ease the tension, this is not a cheery play by any means. If you do not tear up at some point during the performances…then you’d better check your wrist for a pulse.
The women sing together beautifully, and each delivers a magnetic performance. I particularly enjoyed Charlotte Di Gregorio, who plays Hecuba. She commands the stage with utmost control and passion. Pictures of particularly cruel moments in history flash on a screen as they sing, making their performances even more powerful and bringing the plot to a deeper level. Be prepared to be shaken out of your comfort bubble and fixed with some profound questions, the most apparent being, why do we keep doing this to ourselves? This msuical was a moving and eye opening experience while also being incredibly entertaining. The ladies received a standing ovation, which they deserved.
This is a show you do not want to miss on your visit to the Capital Fringe Festival. Just be sure to balance it out with a lighthearted show afterward.
Running time: 120 minutes without intermission.
The Many Women of Troy, information and tickets
