Judgement Of Paris Review

Judgement Of Paris

‘Judgement of Paris’ is an interesting attempt at combining Homer’s Iliad with nineteenth century Parisian burlesque - Can-Can included. We are initially presented with a sensually stimulating display of sleek legged platinum blondes kicking up in revealing attire, all showing far too much flesh. This is pure entertainment, and no apologies are made for the clothing rails at the side of stage. A manual spotlight and performers hastily dressing in the wings add to this quaint amateurish feel. The use of space and abstract dance is well done and imaginative, and like a Degas painting, we are exposed to the stretching of legs and preparation before the show. However the performance looses momentum and focus in a cloud of stage smoke when it descends into an abstract sequence representing the battle for Troy. With no hoplite fighting to be seen or scantily clad nymphs frolicking about, it gradually becomes apparent that the dialogue of the play is shaky, as is the paper thin plot. An ace does appear when we are asked to consider the consequences of Helen’s beauty and the hazy lines between love and lust. Yet this is a poor conclusion, and is frankly annoying considering the earlier bombardment of blatant sexuality. Slightly pretentious and weak on plot, but overall an appealing mix of eroticism, dance and Homer.