Greed, loneliness, grief, defiance, vengeance, desperation, flirtation, lust, violation, violence, pride, longing, humility and reward… All are possible when pleasing or angering the gods. And this ecstatic parade often surrounds the pursuit of love.
Dino Dimitriadis’ direction of Mary Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses sees the world of Greek myth evocatively presented by a talented cast. The performance is a well-paced and edgy twenty-first century rendering of situations inspired by Ovid’s epic piece.
The PACT theatre space is shrouded in strips of translucent ceiling to floor plastic for its transformation to the world of dream or myth beyond. Eleven actors wait on warehouse-style pedestals, formally dressed.
Once activated, the bodies and voices in varying degrees of costume tell of human life changing at the hands of each other, or at those of the gods. The passions of the superhuman are also commented on. Actors morph easily between, convincingly depicting both.
Sets and props are minimal and inventive for purposes of storage and movement. They fit the PACT theatre space and the tone of each tale’s modern metamorphosis by Zimmerman. Movement between stories is fluid as mythical water, and the extremities of mood change are juxtaposed neatly.
Chorus movement and vocal decorations around main characters is unique, expressive and considerable. This does take extra concentration from the audience to process the layers of comment. However, any extra effort throughout the mini-dramas is well rewarded.
The cast members, Jarrod Crellin, Rowan Freeman, Sophie Haylen, Richard Hilliar, Daniel Hunter, Jacqui Livingston, Danielle Maas, Alex Nicholas, Katrina Rautenberg, Katie Shearer, and Tim Warden, were also able to play instruments to enhance the tales. This element extends the quality of the storytelling with well-timed, nicely played and appropriately chosen fragments. It sees the actors as a travelling troupe of players with references to many time periods.
This realisation succeeds in manipulating the mythological themes and images in Metamorphoses. It is entertaining, full of action and contains slick storytelling. The production does not tire for a moment in its offering.
The gods must be pleased!
METAMORPHOSES opened at the PACT Theatre, Erskineville on Thursday 5th July and runs until 21st July, 2012.
Tags: Sydney Theatre Reviews- METAMORPHOSES, Mary Zimmerman, Ovid, Dino Dimitriadis, Apocalypse Theatre Company, Bakehouse Theatre Company, Jarrod Crellin, Rowan Freeman, Sophie Haylen, Richard Hilliar, Daniel Hunter, Jacqui Livingston, Danielle Maas, Alex Nicholas, Katrina Rautenberg, Katie Shearer, and Tim Warden, Sydney Arts Guide, Paul Nolan.