Tony Harrison Plays 6: Hecuba; Fram; Iphigenia in Crimea

Tony Harrison's sixth collection includes his translation of Euripides' Hecuba, Fram, and Iphigenia in Crimea, which premiered on BBC Radio 3 to mark his eightieth birthday in 2016. Harrison is a great playwright and poet, and his translations are urgent and topical. Fram is a visually resplendent piece of theatre, and Iphigenia in Crimea is set in Sebastapol, 1854, during the Crimean war.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 18 April 2019
Publisher: Faber & Faber

Tony Harrison's sixth collection, titled "The Translations," features a foreword by Lee Hall. Within this book, Harrison showcases his remarkable translations of Euripides' works, including "Hecuba," which inaugurated the modern amphitheater of Delphi in 2005, "Fram," which opened at the National Theatre in 2008, and "Iphigenia in Crimea, after Euripides," which premiered on BBC Radio 3 to celebrate Tony Harrison's eightieth birthday in 2016.

Tony Harrison's exceptional talent as a playwright and poet is truly remarkable. Lee Hall, in his foreword, expresses his conviction that Tony Harrison stands among the most distinguished poets currently writing in English. Melvyn Bragg, another renowned figure, also shares this belief, highlighting Harrison's profound poetic prowess.

One of Harrison's most notable translations is "Hecuba," an urgent and powerful rendering of Euripides' exploration of power dynamics. The translation never loses sight of the contemporary relevance of Euripides' study, emphasizing the struggles between the powerful and the powerless. The Guardian praises Harrison's translation, stating that it "never lets us forget the aching topicality of Euripides' study of the powerful and the powerless."

In "Fram," Harrison brings a vibrant and captivating theatrical experience to life. The play is characterized by its humor and emotional depth, with Harrison's couplets being a delight for rhyme enthusiasts. The Financial Times praises the play, describing it as "visually resplendent a piece of theatre as you will see all year." However, it also acknowledges that Harrison's words hold their own, expressing in rhymes the potential for poetry to challenge and reflect upon the darkness we find ourselves in.

"Iphigenia in Crimea" is set in Sebastapol, 1854, amidst the backdrop of the Crimean War. In this adaptation, a lieutenant decides to stage an all-male production of Euripides' tragedy, "Iphigenia in Tauris." Initially met with raucous incredulity, the atmosphere gradually transforms as the men immerse themselves in the drama, ultimately leading to a collision between ancient and modern worlds and the resumption of warfare.

Tony Harrison's translations are not only remarkable for their artistic excellence but also for their ability to transport audiences to different historical and cultural contexts. His work showcases the timelessness of poetry and its capacity to connect with audiences across time and space.

In conclusion, Tony Harrison's sixth collection, "The Translations," showcases his exceptional talent as a playwright and poet. Lee Hall's foreword highlights his profound influence, while Melvyn Bragg and other esteemed critics praise his poetic prowess. Harrison's translations of Euripides' works, including "Hecuba," "Fram," and "Iphigenia in Crimea," are praised for their urgency, relevance, and artistic brilliance. Through his work, Harrison continues to redefine the boundaries of poetry and leave a lasting impact on the literary world.

Weight: 202g
Dimension: 197 x 126 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780571352524
Edition number: Main