Page 11 - Luce 2018

N ews a nd Events FRO M THE ARCHIVES

From the Archives:

The Alcestis of Euripides

The performing arts have been a long-
standing tradition upheld by the students
of Janet Clarke Hall and have always
been a great source of entertainment
and enjoyment for both performers
and audience alike. Perhaps the most
famous and historically significant of
these performances was the Alcestis of
Euripides. In 1898, when the students of
Trinity College performed the Alcestis
Hon. Adam Bandt, Belinda Yorston, Hon. Chris Holtby, Thenu Herath Recent alumnae Lizzie Barnes-Keoghan, in the Melbourne Town Hall, it was met
Chris Ebbs, Jacky Oulton, Laura Main, Toni with great acclaim. ‘It is doubtful if there
‘Shaping the Future’ – Meehan at the networking evening were fifty people in the hall who knew
the Student Club’s inaugural panel event a word of the Greek. But everyone who
listened with humility and imagination
must have been struck by the stately of the nineteenth century and the late Christian whose book of poems, Hymns
In recent years, professionals from a variety of industries have noted that the next grandeur of the whole thing’ (The 1960s (Monaghan, 2016). Ancient and Modern, caused a stir.
generation of leaders is facing a future of radical change. In order to solve some Weekly Times, 2 July 1898, p.13). Ironically, Marshall-Hall was invited to
of the biggest political, humanitarian, scientific and economic issues of our time, Several performances were initially take up the Ormond post again in 1914
we must ask ourselves: What is the future of work? Are our careers laid out for us, It was the first Greek tragedy to be planned. Florence Towl, one of the lead (Monaghan, 2016).
mirrored in those of our predecessors? Or are they something we ourselves performed in Victoria. The University actors in the role of Alcestis, was injured
can shape? of Sydney had performed the Greek in a bicycle accident and, as a result, In spite of the internal dramas, the
production of Agamemnon in 1886 with only a single performance with the full production was a resounding success.
The Janet Clarke Hall Student Club’s inaugural panel event and networking night an all-male cast, but the Alcestis was the cast took place, on 22 June 1898. ‘Miss In the 1899 edition of Hermathena, a
aimed to answer these questions. Titled ‘Shaping the Future’, the evening brought first Greek production in Australia with Towl was first class in her singing part publication of Trinity College, Dublin,
together some of the brightest, most innovative minds from different industries. both male and female cast members. of the Alcestis. Her death scene was a Professor Tucker noted that the
Featuring Adam Bandt MP (Member for Melbourne), Chris Holtby OBE (Diplomat ‘Undoubtedly, the most interesting fine piece of dramatic soprano singing’ performance was met with ‘a tumultuous
and UK Consul General), Josh Farr (Founder of Campus Consultancy) and Belinda feature of the coming play is that for (The Weekly Times, 2 July 1898, p.13). outbreak of applause…it deserves to
Yorston (CEO of yLead), the panel discussed what it takes to build a successful Former Chair of Council Prof Doreen the first time the students of Trinity Florence later went on to become an be said with all confidence that neither
and meaningful career in the current global context. Taking place in the week of Rosenthal AO was granted the Doctor will have the assistance of the “sweet opera singer on the world stage. Oxford nor Cambridge has yet presented
the 2018 federal leadership spill, the night went beyond simple career advice and of Science (Honoris Causa) by the girl graduates” of Trinity Hostel’ (The a Greek play with such magnificence
offered a stimulating debate about how young people can make a positive change University of Melbourne in recognition Weekly Times, 18 June 1898, p.12). In Dr Alexander Leeper, the first Warden of staging as that which Dr Leeper
in our national and global societies. of her leadership in the scientific Australia, like elsewhere, productions of Trinity College, collaborated with caused the “Alcestis” to be presented
investigation of human development of Greek drama predominantly began Professor George Marshall-Hall, the in Melbourne’ (Fleur-de-Lys, November
Following the panel discussion, current students had the opportunity to network from childhood to old age, and in the in universities and slowly crossed into first Ormond Professor of Music at 1922, p.30).
with professionals from a number of different industries. A huge thanks goes to application of behavioural research to professional theatre between the end the University. The magnitude of the
the JCH alumni who joined us as guests. It was wonderful to hear about their promoting sexual health. The citation production was captured by The Argus Reference:
experiences after leaving College. noted that Prof Rosenthal’s intellectual, (21 May 1898, p.12), which reported, Monaghan, Paul, 2016. ‘Greek drama
organisational and moral leadership ‘Professor Marshall-Hall has undertaken in Australia’ in A handbook to the
To our executive team’s surprise, the event continued past midnight; proving to be a has been nationally and internationally the training of the chorus. This consists reception of Greek drama, edited by
valuable opportunity that the College embraced. influential in the study of adolescence, of about 100 members of the Melbourne Betine van Zyl Smit, 422-445. West
sexually transmitted disease, and Liedertafel, who will render the choral Sussex: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A special thanks must go to Mr James Carey (residential tutor) for his advice and development across the life span. lyrics from the wings, without appearing
help in making the event such a huge success. I hope the connections made and on the stage.’ The cost of the production Ms Jennifer Martin
ideas discussed will prove to be useful for Student Club members as they transition itself was projected to be ‘little short of College Librarian & Records Officer
out of University and shape the future in their respective careers. £500’.

Thenu Herath However, pre- and post-production
Senior Student & Betty Elliott Scholar was not without its own dramas, with
the relationship between Leeper and
Marshall-Hall souring both during
and after the production. Leeper
and Marshall-Hall reportedly had a
difference of opinion over how the
College Visitor Prof Peter Doherty AC’s latest book The Incidental Tourist offers a Greek tragedy should be staged. Leeper,
typically down-to-earth and highly enjoyable account of Peter’s extensive travels an Irish Anglican Classicist, was also
during his long and distinguished scientific career. instrumental in Marshall-Hall’s removal
from his position in June 1890 and
later from Melbourne. Marshall-Hall
was purportedly a Nietzschean, anti-

10 LUCE Number 17 2018 J anet Clarke Hall 11