What play comes to mind when you think of Shakespeare? Probably not "Troilus and Cressida." ISU Theatre is bringing this lesser-known play to the Fisher Theater stage for one weekend, April 17-19, with a wildly innovative version you may never forget.
"Fixing Troilus and Cressida" is an updated version of Shakespeare's play, in contemporary English -- including curse words -- written by Kirk Lynn of the Rude Mechs, an Austin, Texas-based theatre collective. The play tells a love story hidden in the center of history's greatest war. As the Greeks enter their seventh year of hammering against the Trojan's wall, one young warrior, Troilus, is ready to risk it all and pledge his loyalty to a new love, Cressida.
This play is the third installment in the Rude Mechs' "Fixing Shakespeare" series, focusing on the bard's lesser-produced works. The adaptation's edgy language -- think Shakespeare meets HBO -- makes the original tale and its epic, flawed heroes more accessible to modern audiences.
"The script strips the Shakespearean language down to its essence, exposing the raw nerves of love, betrayal and absurdity of times of war and cultural instability that sit underneath," said Cason Murphy, associate professor of theatre and the production's director.
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on April 17-19 with a 2 p.m. matinee on April 19. This production contains mature themes and content, including references to self-harm and suicide, staged violence and death, sexual innuendo, simulated sexual acts, some prominent phallic imagery and frequent strong language.
All tickets are general admission ($20 for adults, ISU students and youth free). Tickets can be purchased at the door, through the Iowa State Center ticket office or on Ticketmaster. Free youth and student tickets can be obtained at the door or in advance through the Iowa State Center ticket office.
Breaking rules
ISU Theatre hosted the Rude Mechs on campus in February as guest artists. Murphy, who has published scholarly research on the group's creative approach to canonical texts, said the Rude Mechs encouraged Iowa State students to embrace the unexpected and to keep working to surprise themselves.
"It's not the kind of production most audiences expect to see when we think 'Shakespeare,' but that's exactly the point," Murphy said. "Shakespeare was doing bold, surprising things in his time, and we're doing the same in ours. This version lets us honor the spirit of his work while breaking all the rules -- just like he did.
"The students have really risen to that challenge," he added. "They've leaned into the chaos, the contradictions, the bawdy comedy and the moments of romance and heartbreak. They've found a way to tell this story with total commitment and creativity, blending physical storytelling, live music and some truly wild stage moments. It's Shakespeare, reimagined -- strange, beautiful and alive.'
A different "Troilus and Cressida"
Sophomore Scout Kuehn said deconstructing and analyzing Shakespeare's original script alongside the adapted version has sparked her newfound love for Shakespeare and even inspired her summer plans. Kuehn heads to Boston in June to attend the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's seven-week summer program as an acting apprentice.
Kuehn plays Helen of Troy in the ISU Theatre show and said she has enjoyed the intricacies of developing two different characters -- the Helen who is loved or loathed by all of Troy and Greece and Helen's true self.
"Navigating her true emotions and the emotions she portrays to stay alive is a trick Helen has become increasingly gifted at," Kuehn said.
Sophomore Caden McCoy also plays a character navigating emotional turbulence in a time of love and war, Troilus: prince, soldier, and the youngest brother of Paris and Hector. McCoy said the play's contemporary language makes it a great entry point into Shakespeare, with plenty for audiences to hear, see and even participate in.
