Luis Alfaro’s Mojada is based on Euripedes’ Medea, in which the title character wreaks revenge on her unfaithful husband in a spectacularly bloodthirsty fashion.
In Mexico you typically see papel picado, a festive Mexican bunting, at such fun-filled occasions as parties or weddings. For the University of Victoria theatre department’s powerful production of Luis Alfaro’s Mojada it’s a central design motif.
Alfaro, a Chicano playwright, has written adaptations of such Greek classics such as Electra and Oedipus Rex. This production of Mojada — a Canadian premiere directed by Vancouver theatre artist Carmen Aguirre — resets Medea in a Los Angeles barrio populated with undocumented Mexican workers. Those with even a passing knowledge of Euripedes’ play know oodles of bad stuff lies in store. Yes, there are humorous moments. But you really want to keep an eye on the whereabouts of machetes when Medea’s around. Not only that, the seamstress designs a party dress that puts the deadly squeeze on Armida.
All performers had good moments during Thursday’s opening night show. Armida is Alfaro’s weakest drawn character — a heartless baddie lacking in three-dimensionality.
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