Review: Metamorphoses, Camden People’s Theatre

Myths from Ancient Greece and Rome permeate our culture, from sayings like ‘Achilles’ heel’ to being the basis of many plays and novels. I recently reviewed a feminist version of Greek myths on this very website. With so many of these stories and adaptations being available, the question is always, how do you present them in a way that is fresh and interesting? Metamorphoses at Camden People’s Theatre uses humour and contemporary updates to provide an original take on well-known stories and characters. 

There are many funny, modern interpretations of ancient stories in this adaptation of the poem by Ovid, such as Pluto being a chat show host interviewing Eurydice (and getting her name wrong), Orpheus as a pretentious singer-songwriter, Achilles in group therapy, or Jupiter and Juno as standup comedians doing bawdy jokes about sex and relationships. The overall tone is very amusing, and there is a high density of hilarious jokes. The madcap humour gives the show energy, and the sillier aspects suit the stranger myths where characters transform into animals or trees. There are also comedy songs, such as a version of ‘I’m Still Standing’ with Apollo styled as Elton John and with the lyrics changed to “I hate Midas”, along with a brilliant song about life in the underworld.

The humour offsets the dark and tragic stories, which are not sanitised versions of Roman poetry; sex, violence, murder and incest feature heavily. The tonal shifts from lightheartedness to darkness are handled well, such that the comedy provides a welcome break from the tragedy.

Despite the humour, the serious moments are treated with relevant solemnity and there are many powerful dramatic monologues, including the story of Helios and Phaethon at the climax of the show, or a very sad monologue about Arachne being turned into a spider by Minerva.

All five cast members (Dilip Kumar, Grace Alice Murray, Max Pink, Natalia May, Oliver Winn and Samuel Ferrer) deliver great performances, moving nimbly between a range of characters. Stand-out moments include May delivering a powerful monologue about Myrrha turning into a tree because of her shame, and excellent comedic timing throughout from Winn.

The minimal props and sets are also used well to convey a range of physical and metaphysical locations, including some innovative use of items such as microphone cables used as the branches of a tree or a step ladder doubling as a chariot. The names of key characters are projected on the stage to mark the beginning of new stories and to introduce the audience to the next protagonist. 

This is a clever and fun show that powerfully and hilariously brings these ancient stories to life using only performance, great writing, music and a minimum of props. The result is equal parts moving and funny.

Director Of Original Production: Jack Gogarty
Assistant Director Of Original Production: Amelia Shelmerdine
Co-Directed For Camden Fringe By Amelia Shelmerdine & Jack Gogarty
Designer Of Original Production: Cara Evans
Lighting Designer: Alex Hoppe
Sound Designer: Heather Trevelyan
Music Composition: Samuel Ferrer & Max Pink
Voice Director: Alex Bingley
Movement Director: Adi Gortle
Musical Director: James Michalos
Stage Manager On Book: Mia Stubbings
Producers: Amelia Shelmerdine & Oliver Winn

Metamorphoses played at Camden People’s Theatre, and will now transfer to The Courtyeard Theatre for two further performance on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 August