True story inspires American director to produce a different take on the classic ancient Greek myth
Seeing someone die, whether it's a stranger or a loved-one, is probably one of life's most tragic events. After reading a newspaper story about a taxi driver, who became obsessed with a woman he accidentally ran over, director Robert Woodruff saw this encounter as a conduit to his production of Orpheus X.
Making its Hong Kong debut, the American Repertory Theatre (ART), from Cambridge, Massachusetts, presents a contemporary adaptation of the classic Greek myth Orpheus, a musical theatre show with elements of classical music, opera, rock 'n' roll and video art.
'I came across someone reading about grief and mourning, ... how this man felt responsible for the death of this woman, and this became the basis for investigating the old myth,' said Woodruff, who directs the three-member cast. The show is accompanied by four musicians, including Timothy Feeney on percussion, Jeff Lieberman on guitars and keyboards, Blake Newman on bass and Wendy Richman on viola.
Founded in 1980 by Robert Brustein and Robert Orchard, ART has performed 175 shows, more than half of which are new plays, translations or adaptations, in 16 countries. Through the years, the company has gained awards including a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award.
The Greek myth tells the tale of Orpheus, an Argonaut and the son of the god Apollo, who could dazzle listeners with his poems and lyre-playing. His songs were so beautiful, he would charm wild animals, rocks and trees into movement.
