In her version of Europe’s oldest dramatic poem, a requiem to a nation’s dead in a reckless, fruitless war, Kaite O’Reilly chooses the iambic drumbeat of English blank verse, and a long-lined lyricism that befits an epic lament. The language is modern, the word-music timeless, the rhythms ring with echoes of Elizabethan drama. In this powerful translation, the three voices of the Chorus tell the tragic story in a breathless song of mourning that insists on being heard.
WINNER OF THE TED HUGHES AWARD FOR NEW WORK IN POETRY
In her version of Europe’s oldest dramatic poem, a requiem to a nation’s dead in a reckless, fruitless war, Kaite O’Reilly chooses the iambic drumbeat of English blank verse, and a long-lined lyricism that befits an epic lament. The language is modern, the word-music timeless, the rhythms ring with echoes of Elizabethan drama. In this powerful translation, the three voices of the Chorus tell the tragic story in a breathless song of mourning that insists on being heard.
Gillian Clarke
Persians is a beautifully poetic version of Aeschylus’ tragic play. Kaite O’Reilly’s masterly retelling of this 2,500 year old story focuses on how war destroys people’s identity and her use of language is contemporary but never loses any of the historical context.
The Poetry Society
This verse play is entertainment, challenge and a lie detector.
Judges of the Ted Hughes Award
ABOUT THE 2010 NATIONAL THEATRE WALES PRODUCTION OF THE PERSIANS
Kaite O'Reilly's fine new version is spare, flinty and eloquent... extraordinary, one of the most imaginative, powerful and haunting theatrical events of the year.
The Telegraph
This is a theatrical experience like no other... chilling, terrifying and timelessly resonant evocation of the rending grief, fury, and devastation of war... O'Reilly's version is drenched in bloody poetry... Unique and unforgettable.
The Times
Overwhelming... superb.
The Guardian