SUMMARY​

​Based on Seneca’s The Thyestes, but adapted for puppets. This play can be preformed with puppets (as originally intended) or with human actors (if desired), or even a combination of both, because why not. The story picks up with Thyestes in exile with his son Tantalus. Atreus is not pleased with simply exiling his brother for his crimes and calls upon the fury, Megaera, to guide him to a much more wicked punishment. Through the course of the show, Atreus convinces Thyestes to return; murders, sacrifices, and cooks Tantalus as a feast; and then feeds Tantalus’ remains to Thyestes, all while their grandfather, the Ghost of Elder Tantalus, is forced to watch. While the subject matter is quite dark and the play it is adapted from is a tragedy, the use of puppets turns the story into more of a demented dark comedy.

SETTING

While there are multiple settings throughout this play, they can all be accomplished by just adding or moving a few set pieces or by using lights. We begin in a non-descript room in Atreus’ Palace. The second location is in a forest which can be done simply be changing the lights. The show returns to the original non-descript room. The rest of the show takes place at a sacrificial altar and in the dining room, which can be distinguished by an altar or table. In the puppet performance the alter doubled as a dining table. The ghost of Older Tantalus is shown through the wall which is made of white spandex, and Megaera was achieved by just using lights when she spoke.

CHARACTERS

7 Characters: 7 Males

​​AEGIITHUS:	​Atreus’ youngest son
​ATREUS:	​King of Mycenae, son of Pelops, twin brother of Thyestes
​​ECHOES:	​​Voices echoing the FURY.
​FURY:	​​The Fury, Megaera, prods Atreus and drives his insanity and blood lust.
​SPIRIT:	​Elder Tantalus, Thyestes and Atreus’ grandfather.  Whenever he is around there is a blue light on him.  He is designed to be only seen as an impression in fabric on a wall.
​TANTALUS:	​Son of Thyestes.  He needs two puppets. One is specifically for dying.  This puppet’s mouth will not open and will contain a blood pack in its stomach for when it is stabbed.
​​THYESTES:	​Exiled brother of Atreus