Gabby Leiva, April McMorris, and Marissa Smith as the prophetic birds of Slavic mythology loom over doomed seeker Ken Harris. Image from our recent production of Vox Oraculus. Photo: Warren Woo (fb)

Thessalian necromancer and witch Erichtho was another of the oracles featured in Vox Oraculus. M. Annæus Lucanus' Roman epic poem Pharsalia includes a section on this fascinating character from folklore: Deserted tombs her dwelling-place, from which, darling of hell, Erichtho dragged the dead. Never sun shed his pure light upon that haggard cheek pale with the pallor of the shades, nor looked upon those locks unkempt that crowned her brow. In starless nights of tempest crept the hag and with her breath poisoned the air else pure. No prayer she breathed nor supplication to the gods for help. Funeral pyres she loves to light and snatch the incense from the flaming tomb. The gods, at her first utterance, grant her prayer. When rumor brought her name to Sextus, in the depth of night, he took his way through fields deserted, Seeking the hag and her asked thus: “Thou, greatest ornament of Haemona’s daughters, in whose power it lies or to reveal the fates, be it mine to know by thy sure utterance to what final end Fortune now guides the issue. Bid my destiny, Yield to thy power the dark and hidden end, And let me fall foreknowing.” And through the redoubled night, a squalid veil swathing her pallid features, Erichtho stole among unburied carcasses. Fast fled the wolves, as with creeping step she sought her prophet. At length the witch picks out her victim, with pierced throat agape fit for her purpose. Accused by her fell rites, that shall restore the dead man’s life. He spake the prophecy to Sextus, His task performed, he stands in mournful guise, with silent look asking for death again; yet could not die. With plenteous wood Erichtho builds the funeral pyre, to which the dead man comes… Photos by @warren_woo (1) and @jazzyphoto (2-6) Performers John Murphy and Marissa Smith (fb)