Òran from Scotland’s exciting new theatre makers Wonder Fools, in collaboration with The Pleasance Theatre Trust and Pitlochry Festival Theatre, is an electrifying, sound-led ride down into the underworld. It’s led by the charismatic Robbie Gordon, who picks out audience members for some show participation before the start and builds the anticipation for what is to come. And oh, yes, it’s going to be one hell of a journey.
Òran, the titular hero, starts telling us his personal story. The cascade of poetic words with a Scottish lilt engages us immediately. It’s based upon the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice but with a totally modern slant where the evils of the mobile phone/social media: “the mirrors of our souls” cause shame and despair. You don’t need to be a classical scholar to follow this story, and if you get lost every so often in the lyrical flow of words, the intense musical soundscape from VanIves will anchor you back, and this musical element is a total aural delight.
The set is simple: a framed, lit doorway; the lift to the underworld, a chair and desk with the sound controls, and the ever-important microphone. Gordon operates the soundboard himself, which is integral to the action, and wields the microphone to transform into the characters: Hades with a loud, distorted voice or a version of himself: young, scared.
At first, the action is very static, sat behind the desk, operating the technical board, talking into the microphone, but the intensity of the words absorbs us. As the ride down to the underworld escalates, so does Gordon’s use of space. There is a sparing use of audience participation at key times that’s always expertly timed, including a very amusing and rather crucial ringtone. Jack Nurse has directed this show with a real command of pace, flow, and tension.
It’s not an easy ride, and the overheated space in the Baby Grand does not help with concentration when bombarded by such a volume of words. Poignant and excruciatingly personal at times, this script is expertly crafted by Owen Sutcliffe with rap-like intensity and recounts this story with utter conviction. Robbie Gordon’s sheer magnetism and command of the character and story deserved the standing ovation he received. Òran is almost certainly going to sell out, so secure your tickets now.
