Racine's Phèdre is traditionally played one of two ways: as a furious earthquake of passion or a slow boil of suffering. In one of the most celebrated performances of the 19th-century French stage, Rachel's lovesick queen famously transformed into a raging apocalypse of desire. Not wanting to compete with the daunting memory of her predecessor, Sarah Bernhardt enhanced her own legend by taking a more dolorous approach. Thus, the Phèdre acting molds were set. But regardless of the interpretative tack, the play's success lives or dies by the persuasive power of its leading actress. Few in the English-speaking world have managed to put their stamp on the role. Despite its compulsive... More >>>