‘Hadestown’ is a powerful, emotionally evocative piece of musical theatre beating with a passionate heart and a gentle soul.
The Anaïs Mitchell musical blends Greek mythology with a soulful, folky, jazzy soundtrack, as it tells the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. There’s so much love in this show – it feels like a warm hug from a cast and crew of people who truly, thoroughly enjoy and appreciate the art of performance.
The music here is unlike anything this reviewer has heard in this context. . . Stand-outs like ‘Way Down Hadestown’, ‘All I’ve Ever Known’ and ‘Wait For Me’ paint a vivid, epic portrait of nuanced emotions injected with irresistible swagger and attitude.
Those unfamiliar with the iconic Greek story need not fret – Christine Anu’s Hermes guides audiences through the story – her staggered narrations are oozing with panache and it’s such a delight to see her approach the spotlight to provide more commentary, because you know you’re about to watch a seasoned, iconic performer flexing her skills.
Noah Mullins’ voice is spellbinding – he flips from a commanding lower register to a dreamy, smooth falsetto like it’s nothing. . . And his stage presence as Orpheus speaks for itself. He’s charming, charismatic, and full of yearning. Abigail Adriano’s Eurydice is equally impressive to watch (and listen to). . . The pair’s chemistry can’t be denied whenever they’re together on stage.
Image © Lisa Tomasetti
Elenoa Rokobaro feels complex and intriguing as Persephone. Her portrayal is certainly a highlight, as we watch her living a double life, both above and below the surface – and the ways in which this affects her. Elenoa does a fantastic job communicating Persephone’s intricacies. Adrian Tamburini’s Hades is the perfect blend of camp and terrifying. . . Much of this is thanks to his impressive vocal range, at times seeming to reach the depths of Hadestown itself and reverberating throughout Her Majesty’s Theatre.
The Fates are Sarah Murr, Jennifer Trijo and Imani Williams. Their harmonies are genuinely breathtaking and their voices blend effortlessly – as they serve as an extensions of the story and present us with even more of a musical context of everything going on on stage.
The Fates, and Hermes, are two of the main reasons why ‘Hadestown’ feels so rich and teeming with life. . . Characters are expanded upon in clever, effective ways here which you’d not see in your average, run-of-the-mill musical. This extra flavour gives the show an intriguing edge and a constant insight into usually unspoken thoughts and perspectives.
‘Hadestown’ is full of heart, and it’s underlined with a sincere appreciation for music, storytelling and drama which runs right through it. With a stunningly talented cast and a toe-tapping, evocative score, this presentation of ‘Hadestown’ is everything good about musical theatre and then some.
★★★★★
