I Hate People, or Timon of Athens
Writer: William Shakespeare
Adaptation: Damien Ryan and Margaret Thanos
Director: Margaret Thanos
York Theatre, Seymour Centre
June 12-15, 2025
In appending the phrase “I hate people” to the title of Shakespeare’s seldom performed play, director Margaret Thanos prepares us for the unhappy fate of the magnanimous Timon, whose over-generous nature leads to a disastrous loss of fortune and his transition to a misanthropic, disillusioned outcast. Not exactly a regular Shakespearean tragedy, it is an odd mix of black comedy and circumstances which cause a flawed protagonist to descend into misanthropy and death.
The opening scene, with all characters in modern dress (Aloma Barnes Siraswar), is a hive of activity. It’s strongly reminiscent of modern corporate junkets – waiters in smart black-and-whites, with laden trays, mill about between fashionable guests and officials who have come to partake of Timon’s famous largesse. Timon (Damien Ryan), dapper in a sparkling white suit, seems well pleased with the merriment of his friends (or so he perceives them to be). In fact, Timon’s generous, ingenuous nature has been exploited by these false friends and he is unaware that he is almost bankrupt. Apemantus (Mike Booth), his churlish court philosopher, having observed the deteriorating circumstances, issues dire warnings, but to no avail.
The task of awakening Timon to the impending disaster falls to his loyal steward, Flavia, who finally gets Timon to understand that he cannot pay his creditors. When he realises that the “friends” whom he had so generously endowed with his wealth have no intention of helping him, he flees Athens, heartbroken and scarcely sane, for a life in the wilderness.
Surviving on roots and dressed in rags, Timon’s generous nature is converted to a deep misanthropy and he hungers for revenge against his former associates for their callousness. With a hoard of gold he discovers in his cave, he funds the destruction of Athens by the General Alcibiades (Jake Speer), but he is a broken man. After being found by Flavia, he dies.
Ryan gives a searing, heartfelt performance of the disillusioned and bereft Timon, so much so that it elicits a real sympathy, despite his woes being self-created. Deborah Galanos is outstanding as the faithful Flavia (the feminised version of Flavius). Mike Booth as Apemantus, plays his character with the required pessimism and forewarning. Very competent playing of the large number of minor roles is accomplished by the ensemble cast of twelve actors.
Shakespeare excelled at depicting characters with unusual traits, and Timon is no exception with his inexplicably inept handling of his circumstances. Giving the production a contemporary veneer is a subtle reference to the materialism and superficiality of our own era, a reminder perhaps that human nature has not changed much since ancient times.
