Neal Bell started writing plays in the late 1960s, so it's no surprise his plays address the human condition in times of turmoil. In his latest work, however, he has reached back in history -- to 2700 B.C. -- to examine our contemporary world.
"In troubled times, theater can be a great public forum," says Bell, award-winning playwright and professor of the practice in the Department of Theater Studies. His new play, "Shadow of Himself," draws from an ancient work, "The Epic of Gilgamesh."
Bell's play premieres in Duke's Sheafer Theater in early April. It uses "Gilgamesh," one of the world's earliest known literary works, as a springboard to examine current issues. The epic poem tells the story of Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk in Babylonia, on the River Euphrates in modern Iraq.
"I was fascinated at its relevance 30 years ago when I first read ‘Gilgamesh,'" Bell says. "At the beginning of recorded history, humans were wrestling with the same issues that challenge us now. Our ability to delude ourselves goes all the way back. What makes the parallel even more insistent is that the story takes place in the same area of the world where we currently find ourselves wrestling — in modern-day Iraq."
While the play is based on an ancient tale, "Shadow of Himself" is sprinkled with modern references such as singles bars, speed dating, root canal and blow-dryers. The juxtaposition of contemporary references with an old story provides surprise and humor.
"Shadow of Himself" is directed by Jody McAuliffe, professor of the practice in Theater Studies.
"It's about a leader with a restless heart who behaves as if he's a god, even though he's mortal," McAuliffe says. "First he convinces his best friend that the guardian of the sacred wood is evil, based on faulty evidence. Then he invades his presumed enemy's territory without justification and slays him. In so doing, he brings the wrath of the gods down on himself and his best friend."
McAuliffe worked with Bell before he joined the Duke faculty last fall. "It's a great opportunity for me to work with Neal again," McAuliffe says. "We have never had the luxury of actually living in the same place while we collaborated before. Now we have the whole rehearsal process to get to work together. This is a dream."
Performances of "Shadows of Himself"
April 5-7, April 12-14 at 8 p.m. and April 7&15 at 2 p.m. in Sheafer Theater, Bryan Center.
Tickets are $10 for the public, $7 for students and seniors. Click here to purchase tickets.