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Twilight World
An Epic Trilogy Based on the Myth of Tereus and Procne
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Written and Directed by Stephen Legawiec

Choreography by Karene Lyngholm
Costumes by Robert Velasquez
Masks by Beckie Kravetz
Lighting by Leif Gantvoort
Original Music by Stephen Legawiec
Light Board operator: Manuel Nardi
Speech Coach: Tom Marion
Vocal Coach: Elizabeth Prescott
Script Consultant: Steven Leon
Costume Assistants: Susan Stewart, Nahja Thomas

 

T W I L I G H T W O R L D

Twilight World was an exploration of Greek Tragedy using the story of Tereus and Procne from Ovid’s metamorphoses. The story, however, was not used “as is,” but rather necessary changes were made in order for the story to accommodate a classic Greek Tragic structure. The basic story elements retained were these: Tereus’ rape of his wife’s sister Philomela (Phila, in our play); and Procne’s discovery of her husband’s crime and her killing of their son in revenge. However, one can make the case that Greek tragedy does not have true villains as, for example, Iago or Richard III would be. So it was necessary to adjust the motives of Tereus to balance his character. In addition, the end of Ovid’s story has all three protagonist turning into birds. I added an alternate leg of the story, where ten years after Procne’s infanticide, the three protagonist all end up on an Island and must deal with the aftermath of their crimes.

Play One: TEREUS
Time: Long Before Men Wrote Their Legends Down
Place: Outside the Castle of King Pandion

Dramatis Personae
Luis Zambrano
Dean Purvis
Michael Krawic
Dana Wieluns
Oliver Henzler
Alyssa Lupo
Camilla
Catherine Bell, Lisa M. Consales, Mark Dennis, Oliver Henzler, Peyton Hinson, Constance Hsu, Mary Kate Karr, Aileen M. Mahoney, Hillary Millard, Ogie Zulueta

Tereus has journeyed to the neighboring Kingdom of King Pandion to avenge the death of his first wife and son (both unnamed) who it was said died at Pandion’s hand during a sea journey. A local oracle tells Tereus that his heirs are doomed to be killed by Pandion or members of Pandion’s house. Tereus challenges fate and sets out to extinguish the House of Pandion before it can obliterate his. Phila, a young noblewoman, meets Tereus and they fall in love. Phila gives Tereus access to the King, thinking him an astrologer. Tereus learns Phila is Pandion’s daughter and thus must kill her to thwart the prophecy. But he cannot bear to do it. After King Pandion is killed Tereus rapes the Phila so that she cannot conceive a son, and cuts out her tongue. When all is done, Tereus curses the fate that drove him to such a notorious crime.

Play Two: PROCNE

Time: Ten Years Later

Place: Inside the Court of Thrace

Dramatis Personae
Luis Zambrano
Ivo, Derek Delgado
Ogie Zulueta
Marianna Harris
Mawasi
Marie Bain
Catherine Bell, Lisa M. Consales, Mark Dennis, Oliver Henzler, Peyton Hinson, Constance Hsu, Mary Kate Karr, Aileen M. Mahoney, Hillary Millard, Ogie Zulueta

A decade after his crime, Tereus enjoys a thriving kingdom with his second wife Procne and their ten-year-old son. Unbeknownst to Tereus, a tapestry is delivered to Procne which tells the story of Tereus’ crime. Learning the tapestry was sent by madwoman in an asylum, Procne sends for her. A nun delivers the inmate, who it turns out, is Phila. The mute Phila acts out the crime and convinces horrified Procne of its veracity. The nun says she came across Phila recently in the madhouse and, because of a birthmark, recognized her to be Procne’s long lost sister. The nun was in fact a nursemaid to the two sisters before she sent the infant Procne away to thwart a dire prediction. Against the protestations of Phila, Procne kills her own son to punish Tereus. When Tereus discovers the murder and Procne reveals all, Tereus realizes that the prophesy has come true: Pandion’s child has slain his heirs.

Play Three: ARCHIPELAGO
Time: Ten Years Later
Place: On a Remote Island, Before a Holy Shrine.

Dramatis Personae
Ogie Zulueta
Mawasi
Marie Bain
Ivo, Derek Delgado
Catherine Bell, Dean Purvis, Dana Wieluns, Oliver Henzler, Mark Dennis, Alyssa Lupo
Oliver Henzler
Lisa M. Consales, Peyton Hinson, Constance Hsu, Mary Kate Karr, Aileen M. Mahoney, Hillary Millard

Ten years later Procne waits before an oracle on a remote Island. A war has raged for a decade and the island has become a sanctuary for those fleeing the war. But perhaps not for long - for warships are seen heading toward the island. Phila disappeared when the war broke out and Procne has found no peace from her crime. Procne has come to consult the famous priestess of the oracle to discover her true fate. Tereus, now blind and in remorse, meets Procne on the island and confesses his penitence, not knowing who she is. He chooses to wander on rather than consult the oracle with Procne. As he leaves she blesses his journey. The masked priestess enters and Procne confesses her crimes and her quest for forgiveness. The priestess reveals herself to be Phila, who discovered she acquired the gift of prophesy because of her great suffering. As the sisters are reunited, a soldier enters from the armada. He states that the war is over and the people are being returned to their homes.