Medea's character defines dichotomy; a woman wronged by her husband, Jason, having helped him and saved his life. Sympathised with and pitied by the Chorus and characters in the play, yet this grand daughter of Helios, demi-goddess and sorceress kills her own children to avenge her husband.

In 2006 John J Taylor was the play's Artist Director and he has a bold vision, which involved transforming the Greek Theatre orchestra into a shoreline. He set this challenge to the then Head of DT and Tech Director for the play, Charles Baxter (SCR 86-06), the solution was a large ramp that was painted yellow, then fixed with off-cuts from the same material as was used to make the college blazers and 6 tonnes of sand, followed by flooding the orchestra and setting up a wave machine - ingenious. Charles was also delighted to call on his contacts in the BBC for a recording of cicadas. He remembers this auditory addition as being highly successful, able to transport you to Greece by closing your eyes, the sound of cicadas and lapping water...

As for the performance itself, due to the intensity of the role, Medea was shared by Zara Farrar (J), Emily-Ann Cheese (K) and Megan Stodel (I), Ben Baxter (E) was Jason, The Nurse was Tory Bogue, Medea's children Charlie Bull (FL) and Jack Wetherall (AL), Tutor Allum Gore (C), Creon Jon Butcher (D), Aegeus Will Howell (F), Messengers Jack Blackburn (D) and James Bailey (H). The Chorus was led by Alex Clements (F) and Felicity Brienze (ML) and filled by Jack Coleby (F), Emily Dave (M), Sophie Evers (M), Rasheeda Farage (M), Emaily Fawthorp (M), Liam Hess (GL), Joe Jones (C) and Georgia Rose (ML).

John J Taylor's interpretation of Medea was deemed a great success and Major Piers de Bernieres Smart (D 38-42), invited to write a review, throughly enjoyed the production;

'I was enthralled by what I saw and learned. My wife, how is not a Greek scholar either, shares my feelings about it. John Taylor and his entire Medea team deserve thanks for this fine production of this ancient plan with strong relevance to modern times, It was excellent entertainment and i am naive enough to believe that a prime function of the theatre is to entertain, in the widest sense of the word. I am glad I was in the Greek Theatre once more for a memorable evening'

Read the full review of the 2006 production in the Bradfield Digital Archive.

Of the return of Medea to the Greek Theatre, Artistic Director, John J Taylor commented on Facebook

'I do think all who are involved in the Bradfield Greek Play leave a little bit of themselves in that chalk pit. And I'm delighted to know that the Greek Play this year is Medea, 20 years later. Good luck and best wishes to everyone involved!'

His wellwishes were also echoed by Callum Gore (C 01-06) who was cast as the Tutor

'I would have loved to attend, but my wife and I live in Sydney, Australia now. Fond memories of performing both Agamemnon in 2003 and Medea in 2006. Wishing the cast and crew well for their upcoming performances. Break a leg! Or.. Ὀστέον θραῦσον !'

2006 Cast and Staff Return to Medea's Opening Night

It was wonderful to welcome back members of the 2006 Medea staff and cast to the opening night of Medea last night. John J Taylor, Artistic Director was joined by Ben Baxter (E 01-06), who played Jason in that production and his father, Charles Baxter (SCR 86-06), Head of Design and Technology and Technical Director. The Classics department was also well represented with Paul Armstrong, Current Head of Classics and lead for the 2006 production, reconnecting Former Head of Classics Polly Caffrey (SCR 12-20) and Alex Richardson (C 90-95) and SCR (01-06).

Balmy summer evenings, with incense wafting in the gentle breeze and torches alight set the scene perfectly for Corinthian temple in which the 2026 tragedy unfolded. Huge congratulations to the 2026 cast and production team for an excellent production.

Watch the Livestream of the Tuesday evening final performance HERE