‘Oresteia’ theatre poster

This task in particular was for the Queensland Conservatorium (Griffith University) with the performance of Robert Icke’s adaptation of ‘Oresteia’.

I wanted to encapsulate the emotional journey the audience will experience when watching the show through the poster alone - portraying themes of grief and vengeance.

With this brief I wanted to really experiment with Adobe photoshop, in particular the trending collage effect. Though this play is based off a Greek tragedy - we were advised to create a more contemporary/ modern take on the content to ensure it aligned with Icke’s version and to appeal to their target audience.

The brief required x1 A1 poster as well as an Instagram tile. This task is in its final concept stages, the client has not decided whether or not they will proceed with this version at this point in time.

The Queensland Conservatorium is one of Australia’s leading music and performing arts schools, offering a wide variety of degree options, from classical music, jazz, opera, and popular music to musical theatre, acting, music technology and music education.

Learning at the Queensland Conservatorium involves intense creative immersion, fosters a critical and inquisitive mindset and nurtures distinctive and inclusive artists, innovators, performers, producers, researchers, cultural leaders and global citizens, well-prepared to navigate and shape the 21st century.

Their take on Icke's version of 'Oresteia' will be performed at the Queensland Conservatory stage in Brisbane, Australia.

The Oresteia) is a trilogy of Greek tragedies written by Aeschylus in the 5th century BCE, concerning the murder of Agamemnon by Clytemnestra, the murder of Clytemnestra by Orestes, the trial of Orestes, the end of the curse on the House of Atreus and the pacification of the Furies (also called Erinyes or Eumenides).

Oresteia portrays themes of Justice through retaliation, Justice through the law, Revenge and mother father rights.

Icke's take on the Greek tragedy provides a modern twist to the plot while presenting the message of vengeance and clan justice becoming inferior to public justice. However, public justice can only survive when Furies are appeased.

As mentioned before the pieces mainly utilises a collage effect. With images sourced from Shutterstock then manipulated using Adobe photoshop to then adding custom typography with Adobe illustrator. The use of red evoke the feelings of revenge and vengeance. With the expression of the images adding emphasis to the emotion (as they appeared as a blank expression). The typography also helps express this with the subtle adjustments to the typefaces (including the additional knife). The hands also present a sense of injustice as they're held out, which is a universal sign for help. The visual elements chosen had a purpose of giving the audience insight into what the performance will feel like when experiencing it through viewing the poster.

Robert Icke is an English writer and theatre director. He has been referred to as the "great hope of British theatre. He is best known for his play The Doctor, and his modern adaptations of classic texts, including versions of Oresteia, Mary Stuart, and 1984, devised with Duncan Macmillan.

Collage of hands to help portray the feelings of helplessness, to work alongside the themes introduced in Oresteia.

Blank facial expressions to allow the audience to interpret the feeling behind the poster, looking opposite ways showing the injustice and vengeance between families (a central theme of Oresteia'.

The neutral toned square to signify that this is a modern take on the play, an insight into this present time.

The colours of red to evoke the emotions of vengeance and injustice.

A low contrast San serif typeface with sharp terminals to compliment the subtle knife icon.

Yellow utilised for the main title to add a trendy retro twist, inspired by the 'Kill bill' movie poster.

- QR codes and information on the play displayed along the bottom banner.