Athaliah

This play, with which Racine's dramatic career fittingly concluded, was composed for semi-private performance by the young ladies of the College of Saint Cyr, where it was first acted, as well as afterwards, at Versailles, in 1691. It was not represented at a public theatre till 1716, a delay due, it may be, to it's sacred character, though probably quite as much to the general lack of appreciation with which it had for long to contend. It is now universally acknowledged to deserve either first or second place among Racine's masterpieces, Phèdre being it's rival for the palm.

The scriptural narrative is faithfully followed as the main outline of the plot; and whatever Racine has added, such as Athaliah's dream, her first sight of the youthful Joash, and the characters of Abner and Mattan, so far from presenting incongruous elements, enhances the dramatic interest of the story. (Summary by the Translator)

Cast List

Athaliah, Widow of Joram and Grandmother of Joash: Rita Boutros Joash, King of Judah and Son of Ahaziah: Inkell Jehoiada, the High Priest: Beeswaxcandle Jehosheba, Aunt of Joash and Wife of the High Priest: De Anna Lee Zachariah, Son of Jehoiada and Jehosheba: Greg Giordano Salome, Sister of Zachariah: Sonia Abner, a Chief Officer of the Kings of Judah: ToddHW Azariah, a Chief of the Priests and Levites: Algy Pug Ismael, a Chief of the Priests and Levites: Michelle R Wood Mattan, an Apostate priest; Chief Priest of Baal: Larry Dahlke Nabal, confidential Friend of Mattan: redrun Hagar, an Attendant of Athaliah: Michelle R Wood A Levite: David Purdy Chorus of young Maidens of the Tribe of Levi: aliyu Chorus of young Maidens of the Tribe of Levi: Elsye Chorus of young Maidens of the Tribe of Levi: Rita Boutros Stage Directions: Alan Mapstone Audio Editor: ToddHW