A Getty drama

ENDEAVORING to hear and understand the Getty Villa production of Euripides’ “Hippolytus” was a tragedy and an expensive one [“A Curriculum of Classics,” Aug. 27].

The inability to hear more than half of what was being said due to the inadequate projection of actors’ voices, especially when they do not directly face the audience, makes it often impossible to figure out what is going on and enjoy any nuances of philosophy, ethics and insights on humanity about which Euripides wrote.

The audibility tragedy is deepened by the every-few-minutes presence of overhead noise of planes on their landing approach to LAX, of dog barks and peacock shrills in the area, and of the “clopping” of footsteps from latecomers who are permitted in for the first 15 minutes after the play has begun!

Here’s hoping that a few common sense changes will change productions in this magical setting from “a challenge to be endured” to “a profound and enjoyable experience.”

SID TURKISH

Beverly Hills