THE FORKED TONGUE AT THE SUBSTATION QTOPIA : A REIMAGINING OF A MYTHICAL TALE

The Forked Tongue opened at Qtopia’s The Substation in a small intimate theatre of 40 seats that is the perfect venue for this play presented by Left Leg Productions.

As the audience enters down the stairs and through the stage of this theatrette Danette Potgieter the understudy and Production Assistant introduces the show to Welcome us to Country and to advise the audience that this is a 70-minute no interval lock out production.

As the audience awaits the start of the show the soundtrack to Alannis Morrisette’s Ironic plays and a hint of what is to come is present. The minimal but well referenced set has the audience as the fourth wall believing in the columns of Athena and its temple.

This play written by Babette Shaw and directed by Kirsty Semaan describes itself as ‘a striking reimagining of the Medusa and Athena myth.’

The definition of a forked tongue is, ‘to make false promises or to speak in a way which is not honest’ or to speak ‘untruthfully and deceitfully.’ It is here in this reinterpretation of the Greek myth that the narrator advises the audience: ‘We are at a fork in the road where the tale can go in either direction.’

The reinterpretation of this Greek myth uses as its task to revisit and re-examine the two sides of the story of Medusa and Athena in an honest, contemporary and original narrative. The story is told from both sides of the Medusa and Athena’s experience. The male character of Poseidon is silent in physical form but strong in narrative presence.

For those unfamiliar with this story in Greek mythology the dramaturgical compass of this play guides you through an unknown narrative to the questions asked by this work. It is an interesting and compelling journey.

The sole onstage performer is Emilia Kriketoss who seamlessly moves through the roles of Narrator, Athena and Medusa. In this role she was well cast. For 70 minutes she holds the audience captive in her narration and execution of the young Medusa and commanding Athena. Her performance is strong, clear and seamless in the transitions of her three characters. There was some room for more power behind some of the more pivotal scenes in the production.

The set design by Liz Green served the production well. And integrated with the lighting design by Theo Carroll and music and movement director Jae Pietersen Scott created an ambient, believable and transient space for this plays’ staging.

The use of the audio-visual screen as part of the set design worked well as a powerful tool for context and theatrical effect.

The white temple columns through the use of long white curtains were symbolic, beautiful and ambient. The whole stage space of this cathedral venue was really well utilised.

This is a small independent original production finely realised and showcased the talents of its cast and crew well.

THE FORKED TONGUE has opened at Qtopia’s The Substation and runs until Saturday 13 December.

Just a note the entrance to The Substation is by stairs only.