Memorial

Legendary Australian actress, Helen Morse, gives a tour-de-force performance in an epic retelling of Homer’s Iliad titled Memorial, Playhouse, QPAC, September 7, 8 and 9.

T.S. Eliot Prize winner, Alice Oswald’s powerful poem, Memorial, is performed in this richly layered theatrical experience which also features a community chorus of 215 people from across Brisbane – representing the 215 soldiers Homer named in the Iliad, who died in the Trojan War.

It’s a special Brisbane Festival event, with Festival Artistic Director, David Berthold saying, “Alice Oswald’s breathtaking poem is an intense and urgent elegy for every one of these soldiers. Giving each of them a new moment in the sunlight of our attention… Helen Morse’s performance is a towering achievement.”

Morse is, of course, well-known from films such as Caddie and TV series A Town Like Alice. Memorial also boasts an otherworldly score by BAFTA winner and Golden Globe nominated composer, Jocelyn Pook, performed by an international ensemble of singers and musicians.

The concert has Oswald’s poem spoken in its entirety, directed by Brink Productions’ Chris Drummond, choreographed by Circa’s Yaron Lifschitz, with lighting by Tony Award-winner Nigel Levings. Morse was nominated for a Helpmann Award as Best Actress for her performance so it’s one not to be missed!

Described as a reflective, meditative and dynamic requiem to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice during conflict and war, the Memorial stage evolves from battlefield to meadow to starlit sky.

Berthold says that “it delivers one of those truly life-altering ‘I was there when…’ experiences in the theatre,” and the critics all agree. See why for yourself.

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By Vicki Englund

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