The Last Spartan: Military Might or Artistic Excellence?

 

The Last Spartan.  Written and performed by Pierre Brault

Sleeping Dog Theatre

Pierre Brault’s signature style is to deliver a compelling one-person show in several voices. His material is invariably well researched and his switches in character always well distinguished.

In The Last Spartan, first presented to great acclaim at the Ottawa Fringe in June, he tells the story of Dorion. A disgraced Spartan, he is being given the opportunity to redeem himself by defending a playwright who dared to mock the gods and challenge Spartan values.  Redemption for Dorion is dependent on his losing the case and thereby reaffirming all that Sparta holds dear.

In Ancient Sparta, bravery and military power were consider of primary importance. To die in battle was honourable. To retreat was disgrace. Dorion had been declared a “trembler” when he was among the group who surrendered to Athens. During the four years he lived in Sparta’s rival city state, he learned to appreciate the values that predominated in Athens (the seat of democracy) where education and cultural pursuits were highly valued.

The underpinning theme of The Last Spartan is the contrast between the richness of a civilization that esteems cultural pursuits and the hollowness of a society that deals in practicality and power alone.

For both Brault, as a playwright and performing artist, and his audiences, the answer is clear. Artistic expression has as great a part to play in the definition of humanity as scientific discovery. The military strength so valued in Sparta prepared its population for war. The cultural pursuits and training of the intellect favoured in Athens were better preparation for peace.

 

With a bare stage, a mask and support from David Magladry’s lighting, Brault, as Dorion, argues his case, while presenting the opposing viewpoints as his traditional Spartan wife, Acantha, and monstrous leader, Lysander.

 

While The Last Spartan has much to recommend it, my all-time favourite work by Brault remains his first hit, Blood on the Moon. Its magical quality, when performed at Arts Court is hard to beat.