The Greek mythological tragedy Orpheus and Eurydice is an epic tale of how the musician Orpheus descends into the Underworld to rescue his wife, Eurydice, after she dies from a snake bite on their wedding day. His music moves Hades, allowing her to return, on the condition that Orpheus walks ahead and does not look back. On the last step, Orpheus turns back, causing Eurydice to disappear forever.
In a double bill presentation, the award winning storytellers, Wright and Grainger have taken the seeds of the myth and turned it into a modern day love story. The setting is in the middle of the beautiful and classic Mortlock Library, a place holding so many secrets and memories in the three layers of leather bound books. An impassioned Acknowledgment of Country by Alexander Flanagan-Wright paid respects to the thousands of years of story telling that have fertilised this land.
Despite being a Greek tragedy, we don’t need to know about the myth to enjoy the show. The story follows the life of Dave, a quiet shy boy who would rather listen to the earth move than to play sports. His life is rather drab and grey, until he meets Eurydice and suddenly his world is full of life and colour. Unfortunatley, she is bitten by a bee and he is trapped in the hospital corridors, hoping she will not die.
With Phil Grainger providing the soundtrack on guitar and Alex giving an emotional telling of the story in a rock opera / beat box style the story transcends to give relevance to love and relationships in our modern world. His ability to distill the tragedy left the audience barely breathing at times, eyes damp with tears. The intimacy of the performers on a catwalk-like stage with the audience seated either side, made it impossible not to be truly invested in the whole show.
Yet the expansiveness of the heritage library was suddenly contrasted when a string quartet joined in, unexpectedly playing from the balcony above. Their music and voices added a feeling of Greek Chorus to the proceedings. During the show, they repositioned to surround the audience, giving even more depth to their contributions.
From simplicity comes depth and layers of complexity that build throughout the show. The time honoured truths of the ancient Greek tragedies. The sadness and loneliness of the sensitive youth. The burst of life and colour when true love comes. The crushing sadness that could move worlds when love dies. These themes were all presented in a vibrant and modern way.
Geared more towards lovers of Bruce Springsteen then lovers of ancient texts, this performance is a unique and memorable piece of theatre.
In a companion piece, the story is then told from Eurydice’s point of view. With Grainger still providing the musical contributions, Megan Shandley plays the role of Eurydice, who decides to change her name to Leni when she was five years old.
Falling in love with Orpheus and marrying as a teen, the pair have a full life ahead of them, full of hopes, loves and dreams. Their world is full of choices. But things sour and as in the myth, Leni dies and Orpheus descends into Hades to find her. While most Greek tragedies look at life from the male perspective, this retelling of the story imagines it from a female point of view.
So, while the two plays follow a similar path, the messages and impressions are quite different. Eurydice has a choice. She is not simply a prize for our hero Orpheus. It’s a fascinating twist on the narrative that has a sort of yin-yang overlay on the classical story.
Overall the two versions are a rock-opera style reimagining of a timeless love story.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The reviewer attended Orpheus and Eurydice on 20th Feb
Supplied production images from FringeWorld Perth
ORPHEUS and EURYDICE
Presented by Wright&Grainger, Parrot Ox, Tom Oliver Productions, and Joanne Hartstone.
Courtyard of Curiosities, Mortlock Chamber
State Library South Australia
Adelaide Fringe
Dates: 19th Feb – 22nd March (except Mondays)
Run times
ORPHEUS – 6.40pm (70 mins)
EURYDICE – 8.30pm (70 mins)
Tickets $33 – $40
Website Orpheus: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/wright-grainger-s-orpheus-af2026
Website Eurydice: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/wright-grainger-s-eurydice-af2026
Header image: Alexander Flanagan-Wright & Phil Grainger – Photo credit Tenae Francis
