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Medusa Undone

  • Bella Poynton
  • Full Length Play, Drama, Greek; Roman & Biblical
  • 1M, 4F
  • ISBN: 9780573710605

A theatrical retelling of the little-known Medusa origin story, Medusa Undone explores how rape culture reverberates through the ages, and calls attention to the great injustice suffered by female victims of abuse.

More information

Description

  • Full Length Play
  • Drama
  • 90 minutes

  • Time Period: Greek; Roman & Biblical
  • Target Audience: Teen (Age 14 - 18), Adult
  • Set Requirements: Unit Set/Multiple Settings
  • Cautions: Mild Adult Themes

  • Performance Group:
  • High School/Secondary, College Theatre / Student, Blackbox / Second Stage /Fringe Groups, Professional Theatre
A theatrical retelling of the little-known Medusa origin story. Before she was one of the greatest mythical monsters of all time, Medusa was a kind, beautiful sea-nymph in Athena's service. Unparalleled in both her beauty and devotion to the Gods, Medusa catches the eye of the charming but narcissistic Poseidon.

Interested only in the passions of the spirit, and not the flesh, Medusa feels she has no choice but to reject the greedy God. For this, she not only suffers violence at the hand of Poseidon, but also incites a deep-seated jealousy in Athena, with horrific and disturbing consequences.

Medusa Undone explores how rape culture reverberates through the ages, and calls attention to the great injustice suffered by female victims of abuse.
REVIEWS:

"Strong, powerful and potentially healing. Its psychological truth is stunning."

 Bitter Lemons

"Writer Bella Poynton frames the story as a critique of rape culture… Medusa is the sort of vital feminist character not seen enough onstage."

 The Chicago Reader

"The play does not shy away from the reality of Medusa’s experience—but nothing is included for shock value... Every line in Medusa Undone has been written and delivered with exact precision."

 Pop Mythology

"Poynton’s powerful statement gains even more heft from #MeToo, and is well served by the performances in its Western New York premiere."

 The Buffalo News

"Medusa Undone is not a student production, but I can certainly see it becoming a favorite on college campuses."

 Buffalo Rising

"Since everything about Medusa Undone is exceptional, it’s hard to know where to start!"

 The Grunion

Premiere Production:
  • Medusa Undone was the winner of the 8th Annual New Play Festival at Panndora Productions in 2014. Panndora produced the play at the Garage Theatre in Long Beach, CA in 2015. In 2019, Medusa Undone was produced at Post-Industrial Productions in Buffalo, NY and at Otherworld Theatre in in Chicago, IL. 3rd Act Theatre Company in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma mounted a production in 2021.

    • Characters

    • Casting: 1M, 4F
    • Casting Attributes: Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle)

  • MEDUSA – Female, 20s, a mortal woman from the sea.
    ATHENA NIKE – Female, 20s-30s, the Goddess of War and Strategy.
    POSEIDON – Male, 30s, the God of the Sea.
    STHENO – Female, 20s-30s, Medusa’s immortal sea-gorgon sister.
    CLEA – Female, late 30s to 40s, the high priestess at the temple of Athena.

    • Available Material

    Name Price
    Medusa Undone Script This is optional. Order Now

    A theatrical retelling of the little-known Medusa origin story. Before she was one of the greatest mythical monsters of all time, Medusa was a kind, beautiful sea-nymph in Athena's service. Unparalleled in both her beauty and devotion to the Gods, Medusa catches the eye of the charming but narcissistic Poseidon.

    Interested only in the passions of the spirit, and not the flesh, Medusa feels she has no choice but to reject the greedy God. For this, she not only suffers violence at the hand of Poseidon, but also incites a deep-seated jealousy in Athena, with horrific and disturbing consequences.

    Medusa Undone     explores how rape culture reverberates through the ages, and calls attention to the great injustice suffered by female victims of abuse.

    		$24.95

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