Ashling Findlay-Carroll reviews a production that 'is handled with care and tenderness and punctuated with catchy tunes'.
This modern retelling of a Greek myth begins informally, the cast of two hanging out on the stage and welcoming the audience in. They introduce themselves and give their parish notices before beginning, which creates the feeling of meeting a friend for a pint in the local; it feels familiar, scrappy but endearing.
However, what becomes clear is that this show, comprised of spoken words and original songs (with Bruce Springsteen sprinkled in for good measure) is no ramshackle piece, thrown together in minutes and rehearsed in someone's back garden, but a deeply moving example of the power of a good story.
There is no costume or set and only one lighting cue, which the cast perform themselves. There is nothing overly complicated or unnecessary, and yet this piece draws you into the world of Dave. The story itself is handled with care and tenderness and punctuated with catchy tunes that, whilst simple, are filled with an honest emotion, upon looking around the audience each person is invested in the love story as it unfolds.
Aside from the simplicity, the strength of this piece is the relationship between the two performers, the warmth and camaraderie they have is palpable and the generosity with which they invite us into that cannot fail to make you smile.
Orpheus is at Summerhall at 2:50pm until August 26th (not the 20th).
RSS