Àlex Ollé turns Aeschylus' 'The Persians' into a thriller about power

Àlex Ollé, a co-founder of the acclaimed theater group La Fura dels Baus, has reimagined Aeschylus' ancient Greek tragedy "The Persians" as a contemporary political thriller at the Greek Theatre of Syracuse. The production, which premiered Saturday, uses the historical defeat of the Persians at the Battle of Salamina in 480 BC as a backdrop to explore the enduring dynamics of power and imperial ambition.

"It is a relevant piece even though it is 2,500 years old. Unfortunately, it remains highly topical because what it speaks of has not changed: the idea of power, how to perpetuate oneself in it, greed, destiny, or human vulnerability," Ollé told EFE. He noted that the play's themes resonate deeply in the current global political landscape.

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It is a relevant piece even though it is 2,500 years old. Unfortunately, it remains highly topical because what it speaks of has not changed: the idea of power, how to perpetuate oneself in it, greed, destiny, or human vulnerability.

While the original play is known for its static nature, Ollé embraced the challenge, adapting it into a suspenseful political thriller that captivated the audience of over 5,000 attendees. The staging transforms the Persian court's despair into a modern-day "crisis cabinet" or ministerial council, complete with a red carpet, military figures, and rulers reminiscent of those found in any "current empire, from the White House to the Kremlin."

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They are the Xerxes of today. And, just as in the play, the victim is the people.

Ollé explicitly draws parallels between the ancient Persian king Xerxes and contemporary leaders such as "Trump, Putin... the imperialists." He stated, "They are the Xerxes of today. And, just as in the play, the victim is the people." The set design, featuring a long table with mostly empty chairs, underscores the absence of those lost in wars that continue to plague the world.

Despite the play's setting in Iran, the successor to the civilization depicted, Ollé emphasized that the production aims for universality, avoiding direct parallels with any specific current conflict. "We have tried to detach it from any war anywhere. The idea is that it evokes a conflict anywhere," he said. To enhance the dramatic impact, Ollé incorporated real testimonies from a war widow, a grieving mother, and a soldier suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

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We have tried to detach it from any war anywhere. The idea is that it evokes a conflict anywhere.