Many people don't know how Medusa came to be the infamous monster she is. Now, Feet First Collective are telling the whole story.
Feet First Collective's theatrically bold and physically inventive style – seen previously in works like 'Frankenstein' and 'S-27' – is put on full display in 'Medusa', playing in Perth. It's been reimagined in a contemporary world, here set in the modern temple: a club. The production will explore confronting themes, like sexual assault. . . Victim testimony. . . Power. . . And accountability.
Feet First is a boutique producing house, making contemporary indepedent theatre. 'Medusa' is for fans of social politics, contemporary theatre, Green mythology and immersive works. Audience members will, through attendance, become patrons of The Temple: a club run by the Goddess Athena.
As the night goes on, these patrons will meet Medusa, and her business partner/nemesis Poseidon. Soon comes princess Andromeda and Perseus, as the work comes to an unexpected end.
Producer and Director Teresa Izzard tells us more before the show's season at The Rechabite Hall.
Feet First have already presented large-scale, immersive works like ‘Frankenstein’ and ’S-27’. . . What drew you to the story of ‘Medusa’?
There was something about the visual imagery surrounding Medusa that called to me. I wanted to find out who this monster was and figure out whether there were contemporary resonances.
There’s a message in the work about being the catalyst for societal change. Why was this the direction you wanted to go in?
All good theatre, according to Anne Bogart, The AD of New York’s SITI Theatre Company, poses the question ‘how are we getting along?’ and makes provocations about how we could get along better. I believe that if you are going to put on a theatre work, it is important that it has gravitas and makes a socio-political contribution. Our responsibility as artists is to hold a mirror up to society or put it under a magnifying glass. We want to start conversations and lead the way through the art of story. The relevance of the ancient myths makes them the perfect way to do this.
As Director, what has been the most rewarding part of being involved with the show?
The most rewarding part has been collaborating with passionate artists and creatives.
How about the most challenging?
Creating original work is challenging on many levels and holding your nerve is paramount. I’m not saying I always get it right, but when I fail, I try to course correct, keep calm and take the next step!
How are you hoping audiences respond to the work?
As we are offering Perth audiences a home-grown large-scale immersive work, so we hope that there will be excitement about the opportunity to be transported to another world. The first half has a choose-your-own-adventure feel to it which we hope people will enjoy as well as being engaged with the telling of the myths as they unfold. We want it to be a three-dimensional, sensorial feast.
It’s billed as Feet First’s ‘most ambitious work to date'. Tell us what sorts of things you were considering when putting this production together?
The ambition comes in more than one form. It is more immersive than ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘S-27’ and it is also a completely original work, from unstable source material. It has aerial work in it and we’re working in an epic-scale venue. Funding has been a large challenge so negotiating at all points to make it doable for a project-based company with no ongoing funding has been a big part of the planning.
This will tell ’the whole story’. Without spoiling too much. . . What can you reveal that audiences may not have known about Medusa previously?
The endeavour is to provide an opportunity for the audience to form more than one perspective on Medusa’s story. We also locate it within the surrounding myths so that we see her story as a whole, rather than an isolated snippet about a monster with snakes for hair that turns men to stone. . . We see Medusa as a person first, and follow her transformation into a monster and how this acts as a catalyst in other myths. Hopefully, she becomes an inspiration for the audience as well.
Feet First will take over the Main Hall of The Rechabite for this show. What makes this the perfect venue for ‘Medusa’?
The venue is perfect as it is a working club which is where our story is set. The architecture of the original hall in combination with the more contemporary metal fixtures means that it supports the blend of ancient and contemporary storytelling that is 'Medusa'.
What’s next for Feet First?
We are planning a season for Sydney Fringe and hope that 'Medusa' gets picked up for another season somewhere. So, if you know a perfect club. . . Reach out!
'Medusa' plays The Rechabite Hall (Perth) 3-6 August.
