Have an appetite for love and destruction? Hungry for three Greek gods?
Ensemble Actors’ Theatre (EAT) presented its first new work of 2002, Greg Maier’s “Flawed.” “Flawed” was inspired by Greek mythology and the original story re-imagines the origins of three Greek gods, Haephestas, Aries and Aphrodite.
EAT is composed of OSU graduates and students who write and perform their own works.
EAT co-founder Chris Dickman played Haephestas, Creighton James played Aries and Laura Gale played Aphrodite. “Flawed” was written and directed by Maier and produced by James.
“By attempting to viscerally engage the audience through an unpredictable and unconventional method of storytelling, we are striving to revitalize the theatrical experience,” said Gale, an EAT co-founder.
“Flawed” journeys through the love triangle between three Greek gods who have been exiled to a deserted island and the struggles of their daily lives.
Cave rocks, carved wood bowls and spoons, chairs and tables are stage left. A wood burning furnace heating metal to make weapons and craftsman tools were stage right. As Haephestas’s voice-over played, he was beating metal, and Aries was swinging a sword in defensive motions.
Aphrodite, the goddess of love, comes to the island that Aries, god of war and Haephestas, god of art, inhabits. Haephestas takes care of Aphrodite. Unaware that other people were on the island, Aphrodite sees Aries by a stream. Aries is startled by Aphrodite and puts a knife to her throat to scare her and then leaves.
Aries falls in love with Aphrodite and makes it known to Haephestas. Aphrodite tries to seek Haephestas’s love, but he pushes her away.
Aries plans to marry Aphrodite and take her to another island. When Haephestas finds out, he reveals his love and Aphrodite cannot choose between the two. Haephestas warns Aries not to hurt Aphrodite.
“If you touch her I will kill you,” Haephestas said. “You can’t kill me,” Aries said. “I wish I could,” Haephestas responded.
Haephestas and Aries have many conversations about Aphrodite. “Take a human woman’s child if you want to see a human woman’s strength,” said Aries. Aries demands that Haephestas make him a ring for Aphrodite, Haephestas does not want to and a battle ensues. Aphrodite stops them from killing one another.
At the end of the play there are voice-overs from the three characters that give the audience insight on the characters’ emotions. Aphrodite’s voice-over repeated questions about love; Haephestas, statements of fire and art; and Aries, thoughts of war and weapons.
“Flawed” was a romantic play that presented a good twist to the mythological love affair. The plot was filled with suspense and hope as Haephestas disclosed his love and true feelings for Aphrodite and Aries fought to keep her.
The actors’ performances were well received. EAT’s next production is in February.
