EYECATCHER. To 24 March.

Sheffield

EYECATCHER
by Richard Hurford

Crucible Studio To 18 February 2006 also South Yorkshire schools’ tour to 24 March
Runs 1hr 15min No interval
Review: Timothy Ramsden 16 February

A new angle on an old myth.
Playwright Richard Hurford is well-known in Yorkshire, but not well enough known elsewhere. His work, whether for adults or young people, is theatrically sophisticated, well-structured and characterised. This reworking of the Greek myth concerning Perseus and Medusa, the gorgon with hair of twisting snakes whose mere glance would turn living creatures to stone, is for 9+, touring schools alongside a 2-week run in the Crucible Studio.

Perseus is traditionally the hero conquering a dangerous monster. Here, his attitude and actions are unheroic. Brave and smart, he’s also out for himself, manipulating others unscrupulously. At the start and finish, in his dark shades and patterned snakeskin boots, he’s the essence of self-confident cool. There’s pure pride in how he came by the boots, made from Medusa’s hair, and dismissive contempt for the 3 older women he describes as mice, his bait to reach the gorgon.

The main action looks back at young Perseus: it’s a kind of How I Got These Boots, seriously modifying any view of him as heroic. He lands on the gorgon’s shore bare-footed, quick-witted, ready to flatter and bully her 3 servants. Far from being a ruthless monster, Medusa stays in a huge metal bin, hiding her fearsome features, fed by these servants through a flap. They also smash any reflecting surface in the area (there are repeated sounds of smashing glass).

In this settled world, Perseus exploits the near-blindness of Medusa’s helpers. They live in quarrelsome contentment, like mice in walls, scrabbling in rags and sharing a magic-eye. Through the day each uses this seeing pendant, so only one has sight at any time. Perseus wins co-operation by deliberately flattering then bullying them in turn, threatening the self-esteem he’s just created. It works with two; the third resists his technique. But he has enough help to destroy the innocent Medusa.

Here are strands about relationships between men and women, young and old, reputation and reality. Director Karen Simpson and her fine cast handle them well (though the women’s initial speech-patterns are awkward). Eyecatching and mind-involving, this is first-class theatre for the young, and worth anyone’s attention.

Perseus: David Ahmad
Gru: Caroline Woodruff
Gris: Kate Wood
Grim: Lyn Robertson Hay

Director: Karen Simpson
Designer: Lili Rogue
Lighting: Gary Longfield
Composer: Luke Carver Cross

2006-02-24 01:48:52