Review: Òran

In the classic Greek myth, Orpheus descends into the underworld to save his lost wife Eurydice, failing to follow the instructions of Hades which ultimately seals Eurydice’s fate. In Woner Fools’ modern retelling of the story, the titular Òran makes the same journey to rescue his best friend – but will Hades grant him the chance to lead Euan home?

Òran is theatre company Wonder Fools’ debut production at the Fringe – the team of Robbie Gordon and Jack Nurse, who act in and direct the show respectively, further cementing their position as innovators in the Scottish theatre scene. The show is a real feat of collaboration – Gordon is outstanding as Òran, emphasising the urgency and power of Owen Sutcliffe’s lyricism,  accompanied by an otherworldly score composed by Scottish duo VanIves. 

A light box on stage, shaped like a giant phone screen, with only its border illuminated transplants the myth to the present day, where technology confines us in a kind of hell. The use of vocal modulation, as Gordon switches between Òran and the beastly Hades, is also highly effective, depicting the toxicity of online culture. Ultimately, Òran is a powerful warning on the ease with which we can all fall into the trap set by anonymous words behind a screen.