Orpheus in the Underworld at The Lowry Review
Orpheus in the Underworld
The Lowry, Manchester
23-26 September 2015
Reviewed by Ann Durrell
After being very impressed with Opera Della Luna’s production of The Gondoliers earlier this year I was really looking forward to seeing Orpheus in the Underworld and they did not disappoint.
The story of Orpheus centres around the composer and wife Eurydice who are estranged, who both have had their heads turned by others. Eurydice has fallen for a Shepheard, Aristaeus but what she does not know is that he is actually the God Pluto in disguise. When Pluto carries her off to the underworld Orpheus is ecstatic but Public Opinion compels him to visit the Gods at Mount Olympus and find a way to rescue her. When then transpires is a tale of how the gods when they get involved in the lives of humans cannot help but meddle and hilarity ensures.
The Opera Della Luna’s production is based on the version prepared by Marc Minkowski and Laurent Pelly however it has been written with many modern references. An example is when the group are in the underworld John Styx sings a tale of when he was a king in Greece but he was punished for joining the Euro.
The singing throughout was outstanding, the stand outs for me were Victoria Joyce as Eurydice who in character had a look of Katy Perry with the spoken voice of Catherine Tate! Greg Castiglioni as Pluto was also very strong with a fantastic range. All of the cast were brilliant and the comedy element was spot on, when we first meet Public Opinion we were all laughing and Diana was portrayed as a horsey type in riding jacket. The dancers were also fabulous, raising more than a few giggles when they were portraying Pluto’s Flock of Sheep.
The performance took place in The Lowry’s Quay theatre with a stage extending out into the audience, on entry the orchestra had taken their places on stage as we entered to take our seats. The staging was simple with flowers suspended from the ceiling and a central vase/table, anything more would have distracted from the performance.
All in all it was a very clever production, really enjoyable and very funny evening, I would recommend it to anyone.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost £20 to £24 (includes £2 booking fee).
Orpheus in the Underworld is at The Lowry in Manchester until 26 September 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0843 208 6000.
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, Manchester, M50 3AZ | 0843 208 6000
