York Theatre Royal stages Atwood's Penelopiad retelling
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 18:02 · Archive
Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad opens at York Theatre Royal as the heavyweight piece of the autumn programme.
Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad opened at York Theatre Royal, serving as the centrepiece of the theatre's autumn programme. The all-female production was directed by creative director Juliet Forster, whose original plans to stage the work in 2020 were delayed by the pandemic. The production's full title, The Penelopiad, The Odyssey: Her Story, reflects its dual focus.
Atwood's adaptation retells Homer's Odyssey from Penelope's perspective. The work features not only Penelope's narrative but also that of the Maids—Penelope's enslaved hand-picked slaves' daughters—who are portrayed as wronged and vengeful figures. The Maids actively intervene in and challenge Penelope's account of her tale, which she tells post-death in the Underworld. Rather than allowing Penelope to omit certain elements of her story, the Maids use various theatrical techniques to reshape the narrative's journey.
Amelia Bullmore's performance as Penelope forms the core of the production. She portrays the character as an honourable figure of loyalty and restraint, delivering dry-witted putdowns that embody Atwood's irreverent humour. Bullmore's ice-queen performance, enhanced by her elegant white suit and coat, contrasts with the restless energy of the Maids, who constantly interrupt her composure. The production incorporates diverse performance styles, including puppetry, tap dance, girl group singing and acrobatic aerial skills to tell its story.
How it is being reported
- REVIEW: Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad, The Odyssey, Her Story, York Theatre RoyalTHE Penelopiad is the heavyweight centrepiece of York Theatre Royal’s autumn programme – here is our reviewGazette & Herald (Malton) · 16 Oct, 17:32
- REVIEW: Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad, The Odyssey, Her Story, York Theatre RoyalTHE Penelopiad is the heavyweight centrepiece of York Theatre Royal’s autumn programme – here is our reviewThe Press (York) · 16 Oct, 17:32
In this story: Margaret Atwood · York Theatre Royal · Amelia Bullmore · Juliet Forster · Pena Iiyambo · York
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