CHICAGO—Imagine being in a room with the most famous poet in antiquity, the man whose storytelling influenced literature for ages, and listening to him regale you with events that took place during the most important event in ancient Greek history: the siege of Troy. This unforgettable experience is unfolding at the Court Theatre in Chicago.
A Classic Work of Great Depth
For the longest time, scholars believed that Troy was a mythological place, but recent archeological excavations have led many archeologists to believe that Troy really existed. Its remains are at Hisarlik, a city situated in modern-day Turkey.The “Iliad” isn’t legendary only because of its literary quality, but also because of its insights into the history and the lives of the ancient Greeks. The Trojan War, which began when Helen, the Queen of Sparta, was kidnapped by the Trojans, was the defining conflict of the era, a period of great upheavals when many ancient civilizations, such as Mycenaean Greece, the Hittite kingdoms, and the New Kingdom of Egypt, were collapsing. It was a time when the world as people knew it was falling apart; in its place, a new world was emerging, a new world which eventually led to the rise of classical Greece.
The Production
At the center of “An Iliad,” which the Court Theatre has mounted three times before, is Timothy Edward Kane as The Poet. He takes us on an amazing journey and delivers one of the most extraordinary, most remarkable performances to grace a Chicago stage.
Set in what looks like a war-torn, dust-encrusted stone cavern, our narrator stands amid the debris of a dying civilization. We meet a multitude of characters—key figures in Homer’s poem. Kane transforms himself effortlessly from the Greek warrior Achilles to Troy’s Hector; from Achilles’s friend Patroclus to King Agamemnon; from Ajax, who was a hero second only to Achilles, to Paris, the prince of Troy, and to so many more. Kane’s range, and the way he changes his voice, his emotions, his way of speaking, and the refashioning of his persona are dazzling.
Kane plays with white-heat passion and vigorous emotion. He recounts the wrath of Achilles and the fall of Troy. He dominates the stage for an hour-and-a half with sensitivity, warmth, compassion, and molten-hot fervor.
Assisting Kane are exceptional talents that enhance the tale. Director Charles Newell has brought together a superb support team. Scenic designer Todd Rosenthal has crafted a many leveled, war-ravaged space that suggests a wrecked, crumbling structure. Rachel Anne Healy’s costuming enhances Kane’s character transformations.
In addition, Keith Parham’s lighting subtly shifts from daylight to evening darkness to match the mood and spirit of each scene. Andre Pluess’s sound design, contrasting battle cries with shocking silence, contributes to the spine-tingling atmosphere of an end-of-time scenario.
Although “An Iliad” is filled with tragedy, it also has moments of charming humor. Throughout the production there are uplifting surprises as The Poet adds his own insights on the human condition.
Intimate, riveting, and often breathtaking, Kane’s performance is a tour de force that exquisitely matches Homer’s legendary script. While Chicago has many wonderful actors, it’s unlikely any theatergoer will find the likes of Kane’s portrayal for a very long time to come.
