The timeless story of Phaedra's dark obsession with her stepson is placed in a contemporary Ireland that has become s fertile playing field for the capricious gods. Racine’s masterpiece of the French theatre – itself drawn from Euripides – and themes from the baroque score of Rameau’s operatic response to this mythic tale, have provided the springboard for a dynamic collaboration between writer Hilary Fannin and composer/musician Ellen Cranitch.

Through Fannin’s scathing humour, Rough Magic’s powerful production explores the extremities of passion, and the psychology of a doomed family in its attempts to outwit fate.

The music is performed live by an ensemble of Ireland’s leading musicians, under the inspired direction of Ellen Cranitch.