One of the most relevant plays I've seen in years was to my surprise, Medea, the Greek play staged by Waterspout Theatre this week.

The story of a jealous and vindictive woman the language used was as applicable in these modern times as I guess it was then.

Medea a vain woman who cannot bear the idea that people will laugh at the fact her husband has left her to marry royalty, cleverly plots to kill her enemy and in the end, her own children.

As I watched the riveting performance of Sarah Baker as Medea, it was almost as though it was real life. One of those all to frequent disturbing news stories on CNN of an upset housewife and mother who has murdered her children. A trained actress, Ms Baker has worked in commercials, radio, film and theatre in London, England. She has only been in Bermuda for year and is certainly a plus for the local arts scene. She vividly portrayed the ancient Greek character showing her as a clever and strong woman, not at all mad, but filled with hatred and bravery.

Staged at the Bermuda National Gallery, the venue hinders the performance, as many times actors were completely blocked from the audience's view. This was particularly unfortunate because the language used in the play required precise articulation. My inability to see people's faces (and I was sitting in the front row of the small venue) oftentimes meant I didn't get what they said. This was particularly true in the case of Chris Paul who played Medea's nurse, Demitri, Alan Smith who played Jason and Lisa Taylor who had the chorus role of Sophie.

If these actors had slowed down their speech a bit to emphasise their T's, D's and sometimes R's I think it would have made a world of difference.

But that world of difference would have only elevated the performance from very very good to excellent. It is well worth seeing although as I've said the producers have done a disservice to the audience by not having it in a more appropriate venue.

Small is fine, but with bannisters and the like in the way, the National Gallery just does not work. While Ms Baker was truly the star of the show, the very minor roles of James Birch and Denise Dunstan as Jason's servants were outstanding. The pair dressed in orange Buddhist robes with nearly clean shaven heads brought the set to life with their emanations of pure love.

And when we finally got a chance to hear them speak, it was brilliant. They blended beautifully, they articulated precisely and then they almost danced. Had all the minor parts been executed so well the production would have moved up yet another notch to brilliant.

You know you are guaranteed a top notch performance always from veteran local actors John Zuill and Connie Dey, and in Medea they held true to form. Not as well known, Eugene DeRosa, is beginning to attain the same reputation. I was disappointed that I could not see his face while he was on stage, but I heard him clearly and his body language conveyed his character, Aegeus, as a strong, kindhearted, easily led man.

After only an hour and a half the performance is over by 9.30 p.m. but it is worth noting that due to the staging at the venue if you must leave the theatre you will have to literally walk through the stage and the actors performing.

Medea plays again tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Bermuda National Gallery, even if you have tickets you must be on time as latecomers are not allowed in because they will have to walk through the performance.