A door suddenly opens and a bedraggled storyteller stumbles onto a mostly bare stage.
It is a dramatic opening for this fascinating play that takes a searing and visceral look at mans obsession with war through the context of Homers classic Iliad.
Greg Wood both directs and stars as "the Poet" who is both passionate and world-weary.
"Every time I sing this song, I hope its the last time," he tells the audience with a palpable sense of sorrow. As he begins to recount the familiar story of the Trojan War, he focuses on the attraction of men to violence and brutality describing events in vivid terms.
Woods Poet seems nearly overcome by the burden of retelling the story as he draws modern parallels to things like why the Greeks didnt abandon the battle after nine years of fighting.
Using informal language which creates a familiarity, he illustrates the huge passage of time that in nine years, a child grows up, and compares the Greeks single-minded focus on the war to the frustration of staying in a supermarket line when the other is moving faster because to switch would mean you "wasted" your time.
He distills Homers epic poem by focusing on the two heroes Hector and Achilles and although there are moments of verse and even a few lines of the original Greek, most of the story is told in casual contemporary language that evokes an immediacy.
The story is mainly narrated, although Woods poet occasionally embodies characters such as Hectors apprehensive wife, Andromache; the cowardly Paris and the beautiful Helen, who famously started the war.
But the focus is on the death in battle of Achilles friend Patroclus; the relentless pursuit of Hector by the vengeful Achilles, Hectors brutal death and abuse of his corpse by the Greeks and his father Priams brave attempt to retrieve his sons body for a proper funeral.
The show is part performance piece and part drama, both epic and intimate.
Composer, sound designer, and multi-instrumentalist Liz Filios joins the poet on stage in the role of The Muse. Filios does not speak but skillfully allows her diverse musical soundscape, using instruments ranging from ocarina and lute to cello, to underscore and emphasize the drama of the poets words.
Toward the end of the one-act play, Woods embattled storyteller solemnly recites a very comprehensive list of all of mans wars and conflict to the present day. The litany makes its point, but slows the momentum somewhat.
However, quickly the pace quickens to the climatic slamming of a door that ends the show, a somber reminder that perhaps things havent changed at all.
"An Iliad" runs 6:30 p.m. through Aug. 1 indoors on the main stage of Labuda Center for the Performing Arts in Center Valley.
There will be an audio described, open captioned performance July 28.
The plays contains strong language and is recommended for ages 13 and older,
There will be limited capacity seating and social distancing in the audience. Masks are required during the entire performance.
"An Iliad" will also be available for virtual streaming at 8 p.m. July 27 to Aug. 1.
Tickets are $38 to $60 for live performances.
For information, go to www.pashakespeare.org, or call 610-282-9455.
Greg Wood as The Poet with Liz Filios as The Muse in Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festivals An Iliad. Photo by Lee A. Butz.