Sydney Reviews

Photos – Zaina Ahmed

Metamorphoses is poem that was written by the Roman poet Ovid in 8 AD. Drawing from over 250 myths, Ovid’s Metamorphoses starts with the world’s creation and bows out with Julius Caesar. Ovid’s poem is fifteen books long and has stood the test of time being read and performed in a plethora of adaptations.

As part of the Sydney Fringe Festival, Montague Basement is putting on their version of Metamorphoses and although they offer Ovid himself an apology there is no need. If Ovid had any sense of humour, which he surely did, he would have thoroughly enjoyed this adaptation of his magnum opus.

There is a balance that works so well in this production. Although the scales sway they never tip. A wonderful sense of humour ripples throughout the play but don’t let your guard down as violence and brutality are never far away. Both the light and the dark get their moments to shine and they even share a spotlight at times.

Lulu Howes and Saro Lusty-Cavallari are brilliant. With minimal staging and costumes they transform themselves completely moving from powerful Gods to broken humans without missing a beat. Their performances are outstanding. They both transformed completely and laid bare both their bodies and their abilities with a boldness that was beautiful to watch. 

Howes and Lusty-Cavallari get under your skin. Right from the moment the performance starts there is a great gravitational force from the Gods on Olympus that makes this show completely captivating. The only questionable part is the ending where the introduction of audio visual interrupts the connection that Howes and Lusty-Cavallair have built. 

But the disconnection created by the use of video is minor. Howes and Lusty-Cavallari have explored Ovid’s Metamorphoses and brought to the stage a performance that honours both the ancient world of Gods, men and monsters and the modern world where lusty affairs, worried lovers and politics still have a stronghold on our lives.

Whether you know your Greek Mythology well or not, you will find this production rich in its interpretations. The stories of Gods and man although brutal and petty are great stories and this show makes you want to go back and read them again.


Montague Basement presents
Metamorphoses

Venue: Erskineville Town Hall | 104 Erskineville Road, Erskineville
Dates: 13 – 17 September 2016
Tickets: $15 – $20
Bookings: montaguebasement.com/tickets

Part of the 2016 Sydney Fringe Festival