Thyeste

About

Thomas Jolly’s staging tackles the extreme violence of Seneca’s Roman tragedy with pop energy and an operatic aesthetic. Originally created to open the 72nd Avignon Festival in the Cour d’honneur of the Palais des Papes, the production probes human nature through fury, tears, the onstage presence of children, and an original musical design. Jolly champions Roman theatre as profoundly political, philosophical, and moral, describing it as an “empathetic theatre” where audiences weep together. For him, this empathy, encompassing all modes of thought, is the key to theatre’s birth, endurance, and future. The scenography relies on monumental elements, a striking sculptural centerpiece, and finely calibrated light, sound, and video. Together they build a terrifying atmosphere that supports the story’s tragic arc. Designed for large spaces, the show maintains its power in proscenium venues through technical precision and ensemble performance.