The great thing with Greek tragedies is that they teem with human foibles and make a fantastic base for modern adaptations. The Hippolytus Phaegra legend is no different, as it is full of jealousy, murder and incestuous liaisons, and updates fantastically well into the 21st Century.
While they are stretching the legend a bit, Breaking Strain tells the story of a simple English gardener who marries a Greek shipping magnate after a whirlwind romance. After a passionate honeymoon, she finds herself left in the family holiday home with nobody except her new stepson Phil for company. Unfortunately, having love in her life has sparked all sorts of feelings and she soon finds herself drawn to the other new man in her life. Naturally it’s going to end in tears,while the main body of Breaking Strain is well played, there are moments that jar. First off, Phil’s hatred of his stepmother comes out of nowhere. It could be explained in a number of ways – replacing his mother; not his father’s main focus anymore – but the family seems to distant for these to insight such a loathing in the young man. There are also a few elements of the script that don’t sit well, like the trite horoscopes, but it is the delivery that bears the biggest problem.
From the off it is clear that some of the play is going to be delivered in verse. While this may be in keeping with a more traditional style, a lot of the versed dialogue is at complete odds with the situation, while other monologues are just delivered at completely the wrong tempo. Luckily these elements don’t make up the main body of Breaking Strain, so don’t detract hugely from the overall effect.
On the whole Breaking Strain is a well thought out and enjoyable tragic-comedy, with a few unfortunate niggles.
3/5
Richard Biggs
