The great beauty of mythology is that through the passing down of myth, fable, story and legend, the meanings of the tales become mired in the age and place from whence they come. But just as equally, each age and people make a story their own.
So it is with this couplet of linked but thematically opposed musical tales, told by the trio of Daniel Serridge, Neil Wood and Heather Cartwright, contrasting the well-trodden steps of the tragic Greek myth of Orpheus and Euridice with the later Celtic reinterpretation in the form of a Scottish variation on the old Breton lai of Sir Orfeo.
Storyteller Daniel Serridge leads the audience through both stories with a warm and welcoming manner, while Neil Wood picks and thrums at the harp and balladeer Heather Cartwright sings and adds occasional guitar accompaniment. It’s a simply enough staged piece, with Serridge standing and holding court for the mainstay, only occasionally sitting to let the others play and sing, although the trio occasionally switching positions does allow a little more visual mixing up to the slightly sparse staging.
The tales themselves are captivating enough, as Orpheus takes his fateful journey, lyre in hand, to try and rescue his newlywed wife from the clutches of Hades; it’s captivating and elegant. The latter half feels more musically rambunctious, echoing the most mischievous nature of the Fairy King and the Shetlandic reinterpretation of myth with the long-married King Orfeo questing to save his wife from the kingdom of fey folk.
It’s a simple and enjoyable enough hour of storytelling with some foot-stomping music. It doesn’t break the mould, while there are some nicely woven links between the pair of tales, showing that tragedy and triumph can both stem from the same seeds. A fine and gentle piece for those looking for a classically themed piece of storytelling for the end of the Fringe, but one that has a slightly more upbeat ending.