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A clever, inspired, and educational evening full of fun, glitz and killings. Summary
Rating
Excellent
Don’t worry if you don’t know anything about The Odyssey, on which Fabulous Creatures by Quentin Beroud & Emily Louizou is based – who did what to who and why. All will become clear as you romp through the myths and end up in a cabaret; a beautiful monstrous cabaret where we learn why Charybdis (Hannah Van Der Westhuysen), Scylla (Kate Newman) and one half of the Sirens (Jazz Jenkins) have given up killing men. Not just any old men, but hateful, misogynistic, war-mongering killers that even the gods want rid of. Like any job with that level of job satisfaction, it’s difficult to give it up, and despite being “clean” for eons, when drawn back for just one last justifiable killing they agree.
The Collide Theatre company’s international roots shine through the production, with the Greek elements of the company feeding the mythical narrative to great effect. It might take a short time to adjust to Louizou and Beroud’s dense dialogue but we are talking The Odyssey here so that feels justified. The need for concentration pays off later when the dialogue, songs and particularly Clytemnestra’s (Newman) monologue are so engaging and thoughtfully delivered that the outside world fades away. I was enthralled and enraged by the narrative in equal measure. It was so good I didn’t even register that Clytemnestra had previously been Scylla, and I was concerned that an actor had missed the curtain call: that’ll teach me to read the programme first!
All of the actors are obviously highly trained and experienced, faultless in their delivery. Their interactions with the audience are at just the right level, such that nobody is made to feel awkward or put on the spot, and the audience respond to that with their full attention.
I am never disappointed at the inventiveness of the sets that the Arcola manages to provide in such a small space and Ismini Papaioannou’s set design for Fabulous Creatures is no exception. From cabaret to a backstage set, incorporating costume changes into the story line, the transitions are smooth and seamless. The sound is effective, though on occasions overshadows the delivery of the text. Special mention has to go to Papaioannoufor her costume designs. The sparkly, ethereal costume of Charybdis in particular encapsulates the fantastical, mainly water-related aspects of her story, while Siren, the songbird trapped in her petticoat cage, is equally effective. Scylla’s dog outfit… Well you’ll have to see that for yourselves. Let’s just say it is brave.
Ioli Filippakopoulou’s movement and choreography sequences are captivating and very well executed. The coordination, particularly in the cabaret songs, is equally professional, especially when you consider the characters they are playing. It could so easily have slipped into farce.
Underneath the fun, the comedy and the jokes, lies the theme of The Odyssey, that evil will be punished. It may take decades and may not always be by the hand you expect, but if you treat women badly you should expect the worst.
Having said that, Fabulous Creatures is slick, funny, and beautifully told and sung. The joy and fun the actors must have had in rehearsing and performing this show emanates from the stage and is infectious. An added bonus is that if you didn’t know the stories of the Greek gods before you certainly will when you leave.
Written by: Emily Louizou and Quentin Beroud
Directed by: Emily Louizou
Lyrics by: Quentin Beroud
Music by: Irene Skylakaki
Movement & Choreography by: Ioli Filippakopoulou
Set and Costume: Ismini Papaioannou
Sinéad O’Keeffe as the voice of Clytemnestra’s mother
Fabulous Creatures plays at the Arcola Theatre until Saturday 15th June.
Further information and booking can be found here.
