Heracles: Of Men and Beasts continues at Upper Theatre at theSpace @ Niddry St until 29 August (except 25).
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
On a plinth, motionless like a Greek statue, stands the amazonian Hera (Laura Irish). Before her her prostrate son Heracles (Caleb James) and a little to the side the gentle yearning figure of Megara (Isabella Aarons). A slightly ominous guitar sequence brings the group to life, and as the looped music builds and weaves around, we are introduced to the gods and demi-gods of the Greek Pantheon in a song which glides us through some delicious choral harmonies, into the story proper.
Though one of Heracles’ superhuman feats is referenced, The Barden Party’s focus is firmly on his personal journey, and the conflict between the immortal part of his nature and his mortal self as his life plays out in his relationships with his mother, with his wife and his daughter Maia (Ivie Anderson). That said, it’s not all angst by any means: there’s a lot of joy and some very funny asides, as the cast switches from character to Greek chorus and back again.
Irish’s direction is simple but beautifully staged.
The music is seamlessly live-looped by composer and lyricist Ollie Howlett on guitar, keyboards and effects. The singing from all four of the cast is exemplary. The songs, in a contemporary pop vein with a folk-tinged edge, are filled with great tunes. From the beginning to the anthemic final ’All I Am’, it’s clear that this is not just a story about mythical Greek gods and goddesses, it’s about us. About relationship, love and duty and where our individual selves feature in all of these.
It is the first part of the story. Hopefully they will be back next year with the second part. This is a show with great heart. See it.
James Bryce
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