Sir, - A friend and I saw Medea at the Abbey, and thought it a brilliant performance, with a most imaginative stage-set.
The appearance of Medea's beautiful small children confronted us vividly with the dreadfulness of their murder, and could be said to be dramatically successful - a view apparently shared by John Waters (Opinion June 19th). But it troubled us greatly.
To take part in such a horrifying play, to hear close by all the shrieks and screams, to be carried on stage acting dead and covered in blood (and all this repeated 30 times over), must be a memorable experience.
It is true that many children accurately distinguish fact from fantasy - often being quicker than adults to perceive when a thing is not true. But this tragedy was superbly acted - and we, the audience, "believed" it.
What then of the effects on these children? I fear that taking part in Medea could well have troubling emotional consequences for these small people in years to come.
No one would dream of taking a young child to see Medea. Why, then, have them acting in it? - Yours, etc.,
Maureen Willis, The Grove, Redford, Greystones, Co Wicklow.
