This play, which is being presented by the University of Regina Theatre Department from March 10-13, is based on Euripedes’ ancient Greek tragedy, but it’s an adaptation by American philosopher and writer Robinson Jeffers. It was written in the early 1940s, and became a Broadway hit starring Dame Judith Anderson. Jeffers was a definite character. D.H. Lawrence, the Englishman who authored such classics of erotic fiction like Lady Chatterly’s Lover and Sons and Lovers, was a close friend. He lived in a stone house in Carmel, Calif that he built himself and named Tor House and Hawk Tower. He was an outdoorsman extraordinaire.

With Medea, Jeffers had a great story to work with. Most people are probably familiar with the story of Jason and his quest for the Golden Fleece. Well, when Jason returns home to his wife Medea after being away for years, he quickly dumps her and takes up with King Creon’s daughter Glauce. Pissed, Medea proceeds to exact revenge.

To get the juice of ancient Greek legends flowing for this four-day run of Jeffers’ play here’s the trailer for the classic 1963 adventure flick Jason & the Argonauts with stop-motion special effects by Ray Harreyhausen. (YouTube)

Also at the university tonight there’s the 2010 Stapleford Lecture. It’s in the Rex Schneider Auditorium at Luther College. Speaking at 7:30 p.m. is Dr. Anne Doig, president of the Canadian Medical Association. The title of her talk is Quality Care For Patients, Above All. It’s related to an initiative the CMA has undertaken to develop a Patient Quality Charter to promote  patient-centred care.

And at the MacKenzie Art Gallery, the first night of the Sakewewak Storytellers’ Festival kicks off with a world music concert produced by Ramses Calderon and featuring musicians Sam Minevich, Michel Medrano and Carter Powley. The Festival switches to the Performing Arts Centre then. March 11 it’s Stories From St. Laurent by Yvonne Chartrand and Marie Clements. March 12: Urban Poetz, an aboriginal hip hop showcase. Both start at 8 p.m. Finally, March 13 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. there’s a forum on traditional knowledge.