Gracchi
rise theatre collective 2022
edifice wilder - place des arts
MONTREAL
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY: Sina A. Suren
SET AND PROPS DESIGN: Karen Hurtado
COSTUME DESIGN: Adrienne Gantenberg
LIGHTING DESIGN: You Chen Zhang
PROJECTION DESIGN: Odin Rezai
SOUND DESIGN: Maria Jiminez
STAGE MANAGER: Elisabeth Nyveen
PHOTOS: Shiva Bagheri
Gracchi dramatizes the lives of the brothers Tiberius Gracchus and Gaius Gracchus, two influential politicians living in the late Roman Republic, a troubled time of corrupt politicians, outdated administration and a society filled with wealth disparity. To aid their fellow citizens the Gracchi brothers decide to embark on a campaign to implement the largest land redistribution in Roman history. Over the course of their lives and political careers, their populistic approach to bringing reforms will set them up directly against the Senate, ensuring direct confrontation between the senatorial and populist factions. This work explores not just the nature of political power but also its effect on the people, the personal ambitions and vendettas justified by ideals, factionalism and familial expectations.