Greek myths are constantly being retold, especially in the modern internet age, where good stories told well can be hard to find. Alex Wright and Phil Grainger’s Orpheus is a modern retelling; Dave (our modern Orpheus) is a man with a creative soul who has allowed the colour to fade from his world. For his birthday, he hits a karaoke bar with his leery friends. Some Bruce Springsteen and a power cut later, he ends up falling in love with Eurydice, a wood nymph.
This is a classic story, simply told with a modern approach. It’s told in the traverse, which means the audience’s chairs form a corridor for the actors to perform in. This is a two-man show; one person with a guitar, with the other focusing on the spoken word. Partly performance poetry and partly musical rendition, it’s an intimate, personal show.
If you know the story of Orpheus, you know that this tale is one of the classic tragedies. But Wright&Grainger fill the space with so much hope. This is partially due to how informal it all feels; the show is presented in a casual manner, and the audience is drawn into the warm and friendly style of the performers.
There are no flashy effects here, no special costume changes or trick props. Just the careful use of lighting, the odd burst of smoke from a machine, and a skilfully handled playlist. It’s basically one passionate man with a book and another friendly guy with a guitar. It feels organic and raw; one could imagine this show being performed at a party or in a park, though its current home, the very roomy Summer Hall Dissection Room, suits simply because the space is so large.
The storytelling does have a natural pause in the middle, as the tale shifts from a modern, urban setting into the realms of Hades and the gods. Orpheus is about grief and love, and how one should try to have confidence and courage in the face of darkness. This show adds the themes of hope and being true to oneself. They are welcome additions.
This is a show for everyone, but especially lovers of the classics, be they Greek myth or Bruce Springsteen. Warm, friendly and unforgettable, Wright&Grainger are incredible.
You can book tickets for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe run here, and find more about future shows here.
