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I saw Argonautika last night as an usher for the Shakespeare Theatre Company. The play was very classical yet very modern at the same time. The cue for the late seating break (when latecomers get to be seated) was when King Pelias says “Who gives a f*ck about the fleece, are you serious?” That is obviously not from Greek mythology.

The play by Mary Zimmerman was about Jason, the Argonauts and their voyage to retrieve the golden fleece. The set was minimal consisting of only wooden planks lining floor, ceiling and walls to resemble a ship with a mezzanine catwalk. A fun moment in the play was very modern roll call where the characters introduced themselves. It was pretty much like a fun rap song. Another was when the Argonauts “hook up” with the women of Lemnos; Marvin Gay’s “Let Get In On” playing in the background. Still another fun moment was the slow motion fight scene between Pollux and Amycus. Another moment that evoked laughter was when Jason and Medea consummated their marriage on the golden fleece; Athena, the narrator of the play, remarked “Oh yes they did.”

Despite its funny moments, this telling of Jason and the Argonauts also had some surreal moments. One was the centaur slowing crossing the stage with its frame-like hind parts. Another was when Aphrodite slowing and fluidly walked the arrow shot from Eros’ (Cupid’s) bow over to plunge it into Medea’s chest. The puppets and marionettes are contributed to the surrealism. Jason’s baby brother, represented by a marionette, was killed by cutting the puppet strings.

The story does leave out some details of the original tale and leaves a few loose ends. However, the modern touches make this play accessible to all whether familiar with Greek mythology or not. Of course this play, being based on Greek mythology, has no happy ending.