20/20 at Edinburgh Fringe ★★
★★ 20/20 | TheSpace at Surgeons’ Hall
There are glimmers of promise, but this simply-staged update on the legend of Orpheus & Eurydice feels sadly under-directed.
There’s no joy to be had in writing a critical review of something that has clearly taken a lot of effort and dedication from all involved. In 20/20, the Queen Mary Theatre Company deliver a time-traveling take on the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, re-imagining the mythical legend as a sort of 50 First Dates – a concept which perhaps has some mileage if played properly for laughs.
Instead, the cast play this almost exclusively straight – indeed, with a seriousness which almost trips over into parody. There’s a complete lack of playfulness, as if the telling of this story is some sombre obligation. What comes across is the sense that the cast have been under-directed – that is, the choices they have made for their characters would appear not to have been challenged or interrogated. There’s talent here – in the writing, and in the acting, and in the conceptual direction too. But when it comes to characterisation, and the fleshing out of characters who feel the lines as much as speak them, there’s an almost fascinating void.
The story in a nutshell: Orpheus and Eurydice are separated by the latter’s untimely demise, but Orpheus makes a deal with the gods which doesn’t work out quite how he hoped. Eurydice returns, but in unrecognisable form – and she has no memory of her previous life – only to die and be reborn in a new body over and over again. This brings us to the modern day, where Orpheus is teaching music and wondering how to break the cycle when the latest Eurydice arrives for lessons.
In a parallel universe, this production could almost be a hilarious parody of the modernised myth genre – but as it is, there’s just not enough commitment to taking the material one way or another.
Having said all that: this is how people get experience in theatre. This group of creatives will come back stronger for this experience, and you can’t put a price on the chance to walk the stage in front of an audience.
I am Joint Editor at To Do List. I like: nice pubs, film marathons, not doing real marathons, bad comedy, plays/musicals with shorter second halves, and the Oxford comma.
