Veteran actress Karmen Azzopardi will be making her comeback to the Manoel Theatre after an absence of several years in the main part of Hekuba this weekend.

Azzopardi had interpreted this role with success some 15 years ago.

Hekuba is one of the great Greek tragedies written by Euripides in around 424BC.

It is set in Troy after the Trojan War but before the Greeks had departed from the city.

Karmen Azzopardi returns in the titular role of Hekuba this weekend.

The central figure is Hekuba, wife of King Priam, once queen of the conquered city. The dominant theme is Hekuba’s desperate grief on the death of her daughter Polyxena and the eventful revenge she wreaks on King Polymestor after the latter betrayed and killed her son Polydorus, robbing him of the gifts of gold and jewellery that he hadbeen carrying.

The tragedy contains typical elements of its genre, from revenge, to trickery, to murder, to usurpers, to foresight on the part of the Greek chorus which features prominently too.

Taking part in this play together with Azzopardi is a cast of well-established actors including Mario Micallef, Michael Tabone, Anthony Ellul, Alan Fenech, Lee-N Abela, André Mangion and AmandaCachia. The Choir is made up of Marcelline Galea, Kim Dalli, Michelle Zerafa, Daniela Carabott Pawley, Shelby Aquilina, Amanda Cachia, Veronica Mizzi, Claire Buhagiar and Marionia Mallia.

Hekuba, directed by Josette Ciappara, has been translated into Maltese by Alfred Palma.

■ The performances take place at 8pm on Friday and Saturday and at 7pm on Sunday at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta. For more information or tickets, e-mail bookings@teatrumanoel. com.mt or  call 2124 6389.