`Medea’ one of summer’s more worthwhile events

Women who love too much have been the topic of countless pop-psychology books in the past two decades. The compulsion to be such a woman, however, has evidently been around since Euripides wrote “Medea” in the 5th century before Christ. The play, now being performed by the Cold Comfort Theater in Castine, tells the consequences of a woman who loved too much, but who also had a few tricks up her sleeve.

Medea, a dark, mysterious, magical Asian, is definitely an early model of a woman who loved too much. She leaves her native soil to marry Jason, betrays her father, kills her brother and is exiled — all to help Jason rise to power.

Then, after she is no longer instrumental in promoting her husband, Medea — and her two sons — are cast aside for the young, fair daughter of Creon. Medea is rightfully miffed.

Her Greek marriage has been transformed into a barbaric mating, and she sets about plotting her revenge. The one thing about women who love too much, we learn, is that they have tremendous cunning for revenge, and Medea’s is a pyrotechnic bloodbath.

The Cold Comfort production of this classic tragedy is surprisingly accessible and entertaining. Staged outdoors at Fort George behind Maine Maritime Academy, the setting is perfectly appropriate for a play that emphasizes animal impulses and cosmic intervention.

Nothing, however, is more bewitching and wild than Nell Wade as Medea. With a long mane of dark, unruly hair, exotically wild eyes and raspy, sultry moans, Wade is a frightening embodiment of horrific and enticing qualities.

The set is stark and the props are few, so the actors must rely almost solely on their own skills to make this production a success. The ensemble, under the direction of Aynne Ames, is up to this task, making their presentation of “Medea” one of the summer’s more worthwhile theater events.

“Medea” will be performed at 8 p.m. Aug. 4 and Aug. 7-11 at Fort George in Castine. For information, call 326-4311, extension 284.