Created by Wright&Grainger
Review by Eve Nugent
To a sold-out auditorium, Wright&Grainger present their beautifully original show Orpheus: an innovative and modern retelling of the classic Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Performed on the funky traverse stage in the Dissection Room at Summerhall, the duo breathe vibrant new life into this ancient tale – it’s clear every audience member is eager to share in this unique fusion of music, poetry and storytelling.
The narrative unfolds in a contemporary setting: Orpheus, renamed Dave in this version, finds himself out on the town with a group of friends one fateful evening. His life hitherto has been devoid of any energy or yearning, marked by a dull monotony, and he lives morosely in a grey-washed version of reality. Yet everything changes in an instant. Despite a power cut at a karaoke bar, he boldly continues to sing Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing in the Dark, which is when he meets Eurydice – his life immediately floods with colour. Every shade and hue is brightly enlivened through remarkable storytelling, and the audience is swept into a kaleidoscope of tenderness and shimmering images. We follow the couple’s blossoming relationship to their inevitable, heartbreaking downfall, delivered with such warm depth and intensity.
Narrator Alex Wright commands the stage with effortless charisma and energy, his voice dripping with passion. His beautiful words are underscored by the mesmerising guitar of Phil Grainger, who also weaves hypnotic moments of song into the story – his voice captivates the audience entirely, who seem to hold their breath and open their hearts to each note. The duo’s chemistry is also undeniable – they bounce off both each other and the audience with quick wit and genuine charm, creating an atmosphere of comfort and intimacy. Overall, Orpheus is a stunning contemporary ode to a classic tale, which paints a vivid tapestry of love, loss and sacrifice.
Stunning Contemporary Ode
Orpheus runs at Summerhall – Dissection Room
Running time: Seventy minutes without interval
Review by Eve Nugent (contact@corrblimey.uk)
An undergraduate French student at the University of Edinburgh, Eve has a diverse interest in theatre and performance. Her primary devotion is acting, predominantly at Bedlam Theatre with her fellow students, but also with French group ‘Les Escogriffes’ who perform annually at the French Institute of Scotland.
Her creative attention stretches also to classical music, as she enjoys playing the flute, piano and guitar. She thus looks forward to watching whatever the Fringe has to offer, irrespective of genre!
