School of Creative Arts : The University of Melbourne

Whats On
Upcoming events This years All years Research Seminars Faculty events University events

Return to list

Research seminar

Presented by:

Paul Monaghan

Title:

Prometheus, Alchemy and French Symbolist theatre

Date & Time:

29/3/2006 4.30 – 6pm

Venue:

Multi-function room, SGS.

Description:

In 1894 Josephin (le Sâr) Peladan wrote La Prometheide, a trilogy consisting of a reconstruction of the two lost plays of Aeschylus’ Promethead and a translation of the surviving play, Prometheus Bound. In this paper I will present a reading of the trilogy as Symbolist theatre informed by Peladan’s Catholic Rosicrucianism and his belief in alchemy. Alchemy in an artistic context is fundamentally a belief in the power of art (theatre, in this case) to transform the self and the material world into something resembling Platonic Beauty. Prometheus, the Titan god who gave fire to humanity in order for us to make our own way independently of capricious and malicious gods, can be, and has been read as an alchemical symbol of the human power to transform the conditions of our lives. Peladan’s trilogy was programmed (but not eventually staged) for the 1895 season of the Théâtre de l’Oeuvre, the company that in 1896 staged Ubu Roi by Alfred Jarry (who admired Peladan’s theatre works). The play was eventually staged in 1925-26 at the Theatre Esoterique in Paris.

Whats On