The Penelopiad – Stork Theatre

Overview

Greek myths are always being remade. Like biblical stories, Shakespeare and Dracula, their appeal is universal, their stories are still as tragically powerful today as they were 3000 years ago. The Odyssey is one of these classics that is always finding a new voice, whether moved to the deep south of the US or deep space.

Now indy theatre extraordinaire La Mama is housing a fresh take on the story: Penelope's perspective on the whole thing. Odysseus's wife doesn't get a whole bunch of play in Homer's original version, but Man Booker Prize-winning author Margaret Atwood filled in the gaps with her novella The Penelopiad. Now she has adapted it into a play for an all-female cast who sing, dance and chant their way through this alternate take on the classic story, and it's being staged in Melbourne by the Stork Theatre.

Sexism, justice, family: all the Greeks' (and our) dirty laundry is aired here in a fashion by turns comedic and violent. Atwood is a writer of significant power, and the locals behind this production are sure to put on an intimate, engaging version of her story.