ORPHEUS: It’s A Greek Tragedy ~ Adelaide Fringe 2023 Review

[Theatre and Physical Theatre ~ UK] Rymill Park Lake at Gluttony, Fri 17 Feb, 2023. Wright and Grainger are growing a positive reputation right around the globe, touring shows around the UK, Australia, NZ, visiting Bali and even to New York’s Broadway. But rather than any formal theatre, this stage is on the island in the middle of Rymill Park Lake; it’s a balmy summer evening and while the fringe and city sounds and sights are all around us – the audience is focused on the action happening between us. ORPHEUS is bought to the modern era through the North York mispronunciation of his name – Dave. And in Part 1 we are introduced to Dave’s friends and their Black and White world, which consists of drinking and unsuccessfully trying to chat up women. Until Dave’s 30th Birthday – at which point colour enters Dave’s life in the person Eurydice. The Action is largely Alexander Wright and what amounts to animated spoken word with Clive Grainger providing the musical accompaniment interludes and leading the audience in some choruses – and the audience was engaged and all too willing to join in. So much so that when a couple of very loud emergency vehicles with sirens blazing went past nearby, as a piece of impro, Clive led us into a chorus that we’d recently sung (as any dialogue was simply out of the question for a minute or two). After an extremely short intermission, we’re led through the Greek part of the performance – Dave (Orpheus) is allowed to go Hades to try to bring back Eurydice and almost succeeds, but after all – it’s a Greek tragedy! ORPHEUS is a brilliantly performed piece, engaging and friendly, but it also pulls strongly at the heart strings. The extended metaphor of Black & White/Colour for an engaged loving existence or not, is well sustained and well-crafted throughout, even into the early and later life of Dave (Orpheus). So, the question – can an Ancient Greek Tragedy be transformed through the streets of North Yorkshire into the hearts and minds of modern folk is definitely answered in the affirmative! It’s well worth visiting the island in Rymill Park Lake for ORPHEUS! 4.5 stars Clayton Werner ORPHEUS continues at Rymill Park Lake at Gluttony from 6pm until Sun 19 Mar, and from 10.30pm on Wed 8 Mar. Book at FringeTIX and adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #TheClothesline #ADLfringe #Gluttony