Act One

First, the chorus ofactors.

Then,,qc,qunuyou and c,uctus

car,cHAS Theous
Zeus. Allah. El.
Jehovah. Janus. Jupiter. Jove.
Elah.'ilah. Elohim. Ishvara. Ra. Raven.
Dagda. Anguta. Yahweh. Apollo. Olorun.
Chronus. Osiris. Brahman. Buddah. Odin.
The Mountain. The Godhead. The Way.
The Door. The Tiuth. The Life. The Light.
The Lamb. The Creator. The Maker. The
Supreme Being. The Holy Name. The One.
The King. The Lord. TheJudge. The Father.
The All-Knowing, who can never be known.
God. The word was there in the beginning.
And now we're at the end. Or not quite.
It's a buyers' market now. A thousand words
looking at the same thing. And more words,
I'm afraid, than meaning. Not that there
isn't meaning, there is, of course, it's just
extremely hard to come by - with any sort of
certainty.
But you pay your money, you make your
choice.
AGAMEMNON Sorry, yes, the money - here it is -
CATrIAS Tharrk you.
I meant to apologise about the steps, by the
way, it's storey after storey, and it's, uh / hot
AGAMEMNON hot, yes, no. It's fine.
cALCILAS This has all happened before. And more
than once. You're desperate that it isn't this,

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 ORESTEIA: ACT ONE
AESCHYLUs / ICKE

not now' not to you, it doesn't make sense' ;ALCI{AS moues to the side of the stage. He'll stay here for
But you're thinking about diagnosis when the duration of the eaening' slmetimes inaolued' sometimes
on cure' obseruing. Wen an exhibit is required, he will with careful
Your mind should be
deliberation hand it to the necessary persln - deliuering it
There is a communication arnd to the best
into the onstage action.
of my ability it seems reasonably, not
unusually, clear' But you already know that' Two people are talking. We don't know who the man is yet,

but we'llfind out euentualll that his name is zRESTES' Nlw,

cn.uus his eyes. And sneezes'
he is holding a piece of paper. We're nlt eaer sure who the
closes

AGAMEMNON Bless You' ulman is, butfor now, she'll speak aJier the prefix Do(:roR'
OPeru his eYes.
which is how she seems initiallY.

- DocroR Just try and tell the truth. Tell

me where it
cArrHAS That really won't be necessary
started.
Closes his eyes again. SneeTes again'
ORESTES I don't remember' I don't remember'
It reads as follows:
DocroR You will remember something' We just have
By his hand alone' The child is the price' Fair
to begin. Ti'avel back along the road' all the
winds.
waY back to where it began'
OPens his eYes.
In the house, IPHIGENIA enters, wearing a saffron dress,
rv\rhich you also knew' But it's your money' carrying a doll. She takes her shoes off She whispers to tlte
Perhaps there's part of it that isn't clear? doll.

AGAMEMNON No. Fair winds is / winning the war Whals this? \44rat a.re You holding?
cATHAS Winning, yes' very likely' Winds, wins: IRESTES hnlils out the drawing and we can see it' Two eagles
similar in sound' That's characteristic and a hare'

AGAMEMNoN Is it reliable? EXHIBIT: DRAWING OF A HARE K]L(;F)D BY:I'WO EAGIES

cArcHA,s You know there's a message' A story' Maybe DOCTOR \Aleat is it?
that proves it was created, maybe it's just a The hare. The mother hare. She's pregnant
ORESTES
storY.
with two babies.
AGAMEMNON lt's not [a story], it's a prophecy DOC-foR Go on.
Ils At least, it's going to be a fact'
a fact.
CArc}LAS
oRESTES Beating in the sky. The eagles. Two eagles
\Arhat you're being told is that the road is
cutting down through the air and their
about to split, that an action is coming which wings flapping on top of her and they rip
you either perform - or you don't. Make that her stomach open. Their claws are hard and
judgement.
her stomach is soft - and she didn't have a
Forewamed is forearmed. Not forestalled' chance really. All her inside came out'
There's no armour that protects you from the
future. It comes. You suffer: you learn'

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AESCHYLUS / ICKE

DocroR That's good: remember those words. It's

a story. The pregnant hare killed by two
eagles. And this story is one you keep
returning to, again and again, not exactly
the same, but - versions of the same thing. I
wonder - what does it mean?
onasns holds his hands out. He doesn't remember.
oRESTES I don't think I believe in this. In your -
practice.

DocroR What is my practice?

They smile at each other.

Let's see if I can understand. The mother and

her unborn children are the victims of an
attack, an attack from above. Is the mother
your mother?
ORESTES No. Are you my mother?
DocroR No. Any further questions? I'm just trying to
understand you.
oRESTES To simpffi me. To pack me down into one
easy diagnosis. A judgement. He's this one
filzg. Finished.
DocroR I don't think it's ever finished. And I don't
think we're one thing. Any of us.
ORNSTES NO?

DocroR No. You are yourself. But you are also a part
of a family and a country. Attd a world. And
a religion, if that's what you [believe]. You
could be a brother and a son and a father all
at once. I ftink we're all several things, even
just within our family.
nurcz,Nu sings a few lines of her song.

ORESTES That's true.

DocroR Tell me about your family.

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 AESCHYLUS / ICKE
ORESTEIA: ACT ONE

AGAMEMNoN This isn't about us

KLvTEMNESTRa. This is about you and
me, this is about the
state of our _ I don't even know the word KLvTEMNES'IRI Sacrifice? This is slaughter, this is butchery
because it's not marriage, it,s not union, not - at this point, call it what you want but -
united _ because the last thing we are, the smash a bowl,the bowl is smashed; she dies,
last thing we are now is on the same side / your daughter dies, Iphigenia &es
but this es about us, this is about a person I'm waking her up. I'll tell the house - I'11
who came fom who would never have
us, WAKE THE HOUSE and / get her out of
liuedif we hadn't loved each other, what bed and run
you are ,/ destroying is us, doing something
:ILISSAis uisible, awake, hearing this.
that will overwhelm our history, a single
action which if you bring it down on us will AGAMEMNON Stop it, Klytemnestra, stop,you haven't got a
obliterate the whole story which precedes it chance
AGAMEMNON Klytemnestra I need you to listen _ KTYTEMNESTRA. You're killingher. She won't be here. You're
AGAMEMNON Klytemnestra taking what's hers and it looks like this,
KLvTEMNESTRA She was a part of my body this is destruction if you really want 'your
judgement to be clear', we can just take what
AGAMEMNON I don't want to do it
she loves and see what we learn from ripping
KIYTEMNESTRA, Then don,t do it it to pieces with our hands
As her mother, I am begging you. I am Kr.yrEM rESrp,Adestroys rpHrGENrA's doll. He tries to stop her,
b"ggt.g you: find another way. There will get the toy back, she wrestlesfee. She physically pushes him.

[be] - there is anotherrvay. I Low that you AGAMEMNON Stop it Klytemnestra / stop it, this isn't fair -
won't do this to your home. glve it back
AGAMEMNoN You,re not the only mother KLY'I'EMNESTRA. Man resents child. He looks elsewhere. And
AGAMEMNON sneezes. you have made a fool of me for years. Of our
marriage. For years. Don't think for a second
I asked for wisdom. And it came. It came
from you. The child is the price of the war,
thatldidn't/know
and we don,t see t}le price of the war, we AGAMTj,MNoN And what is that supposed to mean? [You
don't see it, and this this will insist that I do, stupid woman] has it been a struggle tolle
that my judgement is clear, the whole truth your life from the fruits of my success?
of it, that - we are a hurricane like the force KLYTEMNESIRa Are you going to hit ne now? Do it - do it
of gods' own fury, ripping buildings into DO IT
dust. We l<il| their children, their mothers are
begging for mercy and - he said, ,you suffer,
KLWEMNLSrMpushes his chest again - and he tries to restrain

you learn'. And the child is the price of the

Iter and they fght -
and it's ugly and it takes some time
and she beats his back and euentually they foll apart from
war. It's knowing fully what our action mearu.
The sacrifice of life begins at home.

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AESCHYLUS / ICKE

each lther, breathing heaaily. Both surprised by what has KI-YTEMNESTRA You were always going to do it'
You liked
nannenea, by the speed at which their maniage hasfactured. to push back against it - it's a good feeling'
surrender, actually - but you knew' you
knew from the first moment you heard -
Violence is how you've put food on our even before you heard the queslion - you
table. And that, I have allowed. What are knew what your answer would be' This was
you and I going to say to each other? How alwaYs going to haPPen'
will you hug your son? How are you going to She's been dead since the beginning'
look at us once you come back home -
KLYTEMNESTRAS gone.
We hear crying. In this calrn, KlyrwtNEsrMandeuunmton A carnera is
IPHIGENIAuaI^s forward, looks at tc'q'q'rauNon'
haue neaer felt so far apart.
set uP, and ectm'tNonnotices'
It's ,/ Orestes
AGAMEMNoN Is that / necessary?
AGAMEMNoN Orestes, I know. I'm -
MENET.AUS Yes. Yes. It's procedure, it's controlled'
I'm sorry. don't worry.
t oansns and the nocron.

I wouldn't hurt you ORESTES I don't remember it. I was too young'
DOCTOR That's all right. What are you holding?
KLYTEMNESTRA In this conversation. That's an absurd thing
to say. ORESTES A silver tray on which are three small,
pleated PaPer cuPs.
,
EXIIIBIT: SILWR TMY WIIH TIIRT,E PAPER CUPS
God, it's so rlalin here.
AGAMEMN\Nha| pnrcwu on his knee. uaNnuqus an'd another
IRESTES is uisible. He might haue been listening.
wlman ako present. The camera is switched on'
oRESTES 0r) I had a bad dream. Snakes.
Iphigenia. What a beautiful name'
WOMAN
What's happening?
MENEI.AUS Are we readY?
AGAMEMNoN Come here. Nothing's happening. You're not
in trouble. It's over now
KLYTEMNESTRA Ils over now? Orestes, honey, let me tell you woMAN , you to confirm as lphigenia's guardian
"""U
what your daddy thinks, he thinks your bad that you fully understand the course of action
dreams / are just the beginning, that they in front of her today, and that you consent' I
don't go away when you wake up, they swell need You to / clearlY conf
inside
AGAMEMNoT.I Yes. Yes. Yes' Yes'
AGAMEMNON Don't.They don't need to be involved - MENELAUS She has to - ask the questions. It has to be
)EESTES is caught between his parents. done.

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 ORESTEIA: ACT ONE
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woMAN I need you to clearly confirm that you AGAMEMNoN Ilove/You

understand the procedure. IPHIGENIA I ftink now I want to lie down'
AGAMEMNON I understand, She stretches out auoss AGAMEMNIN' Eyes closed' Another

woMAN And I need you to confirm that you know Iong pause.

what will happen as a result of the procedure. He suddenly ffi her up and hs holds her tight' protecti:ue'
impossibleio iA*" hi's here' As he resettles
with her' she's
AGAMEMNON IKnow. something
diwry, incoherent, but lootcs right at him and says
woMAN Thank you. OK.
that's clearlY discernable as
t water, DaddY "' water'

Righ! Iphigenia. You're doing very well. I AGAMEMNIN makes to get it for her -
need you to drink this.
MENEI-{US No, we can't, that's not -
IzHIGENIA sits on ,tc,quauxon's knee. Looks at him for get it, except her eyes haue already
- and 'qctwuuoNwould
confrmation. He nods. If he could say something, he probably closetl. There's another long pause' Then:
would. He can't.
DEAIH: TIIODAYS DATE, TTIE TIME]].
IPHIGENIA. TIME OF

oRESTES One of them contains a small amount of

woMAN She's gone'
translucent liquid.
Do You feel / alright?
AGA ,tEMNoNgiaes her, and narcaNudrinks, the contents of
the first cup. AGAMEMNoNIfeel]ikeI'vedonesomethingsowrongthat
my whole life, my family, nothing will be able
woMAN And now just swallow this one. Try *d
to - the worst mistake' The worst mistake' I
make it just one swallow, straight down. If s
got it wrong' It was wrong' It was wrong'
not a nice taste, so you might need this one
the wind'
afterwards. But the last bit of this is drowned out the sound of
open and the
real wind. Doois and winilows rattle and fly
oRESTES The second one contains a small ormge
is rupturedby cold windfloodinglike a tide
still, heaay heat
tablet. The third one a sweet-flavoured
through the theatre'
liquid. Inside that tablet somewhere, one
she's heard the
atom - makes it too much, tips the balance. KLYTEMNESTRA stepsforward in front of this'
wind, realfuing nmething' In a moment' she will sueam'
AGAMEMNzN takes the tablet fpm the second cup and puh it
0n rpHrGENrA's tungue. She swallows it. ItI bitter, and she IPHIGENa'r bodY is carried awaY'
crumples the cup. She's giuen the third one.
The wind ragu now' Paper, fabric' Iamps go
flying anything
woMAN Very good. Well done. lbu're a very brave not fixed tlown, blows
ill o"' the set' K:'YTEMNESTRA stands

gtul. infull blast of it'

c'tLcnts re ads the facts'

cAl-cHAS Areas of very high pressure circling down

There's a long, long, long, long sharp pause. Total stillness
onto us, and the winds are picking up across
and silence. We're waitingfor the child to die.
C1
 ORESTEIA: ACT ONE

AESCHYLUS / ICKE

Let's just hold off the

interpretation tonight'
KIYTEMNEST'B*\
the whole of the West now' so there's quite a it was hard' I do
I know you feel it' I know
time ahead for us, I'm a"fraid' it looks like this
know that.
sudden onset is likely to remain with us, and
even in the weeks to come, these systems And I do love You
seem reluctant to fade away so we'll be living
with them for some time' Good night'
back' are you?
You're not going to come
Wind rumbles underneath, distant, restless' won this
claim you - once you've
If it doesn,t
DocroR Orestes. Do you remember the words you
;;;, ;* we've PiaYed the haPPY :oopl:"
used - before? I would
to leave' If s all right'
Beating in the skY. The wind.
;;i;r.*g
ORXS'I'ES prefer the truth'
DocroR The mother hare, it's Klytemnestra, the come home' not to
You're not intending to
eagles are the men and the dead child inside us. Notnow'
the womb - It was this story' Her story' it
I don't know, there's no need to be [rashl'
lPhigenia. AGAMEMNON
could be Years before -
The stage is a mess. AGAMEMNINenters, sees KLYTEMNESTRA'

KLYTEMNESTRA
But -
AGAMEMNoN Did you [make all this mess] - ?

AGAMEMNON
No.
KLYfEMNESTILA, Yes. Don't worry' you're safe, it's over
now'
causes' deep / KLYTEMNESTRA ThANKYOU'
AGAMEMNoN There is a statement' Natural
shock, asking for PrivacY -
/ of
KIYTEMNESTR,{ I heard. And the wind' that to imply any criticism
AGAMEMNoN I don't want
you or the waY

KLYTEMNESTRA
Don't. Don't.
He makes to leaue, when: up tonight' Please'
Go to sleep. I won't come
I'm really quite tired, but I want you to know history' You
i"*"t-'t^i*s will all be freshwater' And I
that I - I won't say this tomorrow or again' will be setting out across
the
'""'y first sign of morning'
PerhaPs. But ;ti ;;;o u,"th"
stands behind him, puts her arms and I will make a Plan'
Perhaps KLYTEMNESTP,A
sits a while
around his waist. reaction' h e leaues ' She for
He kisses her gently ' no
Maybe quite a uhile'
I admire it' Somewhere' The decision' entirely olo" stage'
''o'th'
We pause there for the
It's so autisticallY brave' cALctlAS Please be upstanding'
first time' Thank You'
AGAMEMNoN Don't - [make a fuss]
The act ts ouer.
KI)r'rl.lMNES'llLA I'm not, I won't. I mean: I mean it'
AcAMl,tMNoN It's hard not to interpret that as -
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