Word: alkmena
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Nothing very deep or subtle is explored in the play, just sex. Jupiter (Alex Hawthorne), having recently seduced Leda as a swan, gives his attention to the problem of conquering Amphitryon's wife, Alkmena (Nancy Wolff) as a man. But all the wiles and devices of the immortal lover fail to destroy what Jupiter calls Alkmena's "pathetically constant" love for her Amphitryon...
Jupiter's eye, and that of the audience, is constantly on Alkmena, and the highly appealing Miss Wolff richly rewards the attention. Taking full advantage of the humorous potential of ancient Greek characters conversing in mid-twentieth century American language, she is bewitching, beguiling and alluring, and altogether worthy of a god's love...
Giraudoux's play, based on the Greek legend of Zeus' rape of Alcmene, wife of Amphitryon, illustrates that neither the wiles of men nor the caprices of gods are effective against the constancy of devotion of a wife (Alkmena.) Jupiter attempts to rape Alkmena but discovers he must reckon with a woman far too intelligent to be led astray by passion...
...Tufts production conveys much of Giraudoux's imaginative wit and irony, but lacks dynamism and the smoothness of a thoroughly rehearsed production. Alkmena is anemic, Amphitryon should be more possessive. Instead of vigorous verbal fencing between Jupiter and Alkmena, we hear but gentle gibes. Muffed lines, awkwardly handled props, clownish warriors, nonexistent Theban mobs, and a series of confused sounds purporting to be "cosmic music" mar the plays buoyancy...
Arthur Lutton's Jupiter combined the naivete of the superman with the wistfulness of a god who wishes to experience the mortal man's sensual delights and difficulties. Gardner Tillson's mischievous Mercury is marred by awkwardness and profuseness of gestures. Jane Hanle was generally apathetic as Alkmena but conveyed Alkmena's conquetry and supicious insight. She deserves credit for stepping into her role on one day's notice. Paul Fithian's fatuous Amphitryon, Henry Franck's priggish Trumpeter, Ellen Whitman's inappropriately uncosmopolitan Queen Leda contribute to the carnival of characters who romp through the play. Giraudoux's classico...