The Exile and the Onion Girl
adapted by Lindsay Price from Aeschylus' The Libation Bearers
A vividly modern adaptation of Aeschylus' play The Libation Bearers.
About 35 minutes
Times given are approximate and do not include intermissions/scene changes/breaks
10
4 M | 6 W, Plus Domestics (chorus)
Simple set
33 pages
Ore has been exiled for 10 years, working as a goat herder. Onee has been banished to the kitchen – 10 years is a long time to cut onions. Their mother murdered their father and it's time to avenge his death.
Who cares if all Onee wants is her mother's love? Who cares if Ore can't remember what his father sounds like?
In Argos, it's an eye for an eye, blood for blood, and watch what you say in front of the Domestics. They're always watching, always listening. But blood is very complicated. And more blood doesn't necessarily solve problems.
A vividly modern adaptation of Aeschylus' play The Libation Bearers.
Characters
10
4 Men, 6 Women, Plus Domestics (chorus)
Characters in this play are currently identified as male or female. Directors are welcome to assign any gender (binary or non-binary) to any character and modify pronouns accordingly.
-
KING IS
[M]
18 lines
- Ruler of the Kingdom of Argos
-
QUEEN NESS
[W]
49 lines
- Married to King Is, previously married to King He-Who-Will-Not-Be-Named
-
ORE
[M]
84 lines
- 17. Son to Ness, brother to Onee, sent away 10 years previously to Phocis. One Monologue.
-
ONEE
[W]
75 lines
- 16. Daughter to Ness, sister to Ore (sometimes called Ellie). One Monologue.
-
TY
[M]
12 lines
- Aide to King Is. One Monologue.
-
KAY
[W]
19 lines
- Aide to Queen Ness
-
LADES
[M]
44 lines
- Friend to Ore, foreigner from Phocis who doesn’t understand Argos ways
-
HESTER
[W]
20 lines
- Head Chef, Sister to Hesper
-
HESPER
[W]
34 lines
- Head Housekeeper, Sister to Hester
-
EM
[W]
15 lines
- Scullery Maid - From Delphi. One Monologue.
THE DOMESTICS
-
Barbara, Dexter, Kyle, Boris,Percy, Josie, Scarlet, Blair, John
37 lines
- Butlers and Maids; always in sight but often ignored. Chorus.
- Subgenres
- Adaptation Choral work
- Settings
- Greek Present day
- Dress
- Contemporary costumes
- Audience
- Pre-teen Teen
- Features
- Mime Poetry Tableau Opportunity for spectacle Choral work
- Set
- Simple set Exterior set Interior set
- Cautions
- Gun shots Adult themes Onstage murder
- Themes
- Adolescence Betrayal Death Parenting/Family Obedience Morality Jealousy Revenge Personal responsibility
- Cross-Curricular Uses
- Greek
- Other uses
- Competition Monologues Audition material Class work Scene work
Prop List
Empty bag, armful of provisions, red ribbons, Props for Domestics (brooms, dusting tools, laundry to fold), clipboard, bowl of onions, empty bowl, knife, aprons, butcher’s block, bottle of water, carafe of oil, jug, dagger
Related Titles
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Royalty fees apply to all performances whether or not admission is charged. Any performance in front of an audience (e.g. an invited dress rehearsal) is considered a performance for royalty purposes.
Exemption details for scenes and monologues for competition.
The Exile and the Onion Girl
adapted by Lindsay Price from Aeschylus' The Libation Bearers
About 35 minutes
Times given are approximate and do not include intermissions/scene changes/breaks
10
4 M | 6 W, Plus Domestics (chorus)
Simple set
33 pages