The audience is firmly enmeshed in Remythed from the very beginning, with the high-energy cast speaking to the crowd as they file in – and even hidden as not-so-subtle plants among the rows.
Remythed retells stories from myth and legend, picking out the LGBTQ+ characters from throughout time who have always been there – but perhaps haven’t had their story told. The companionable way that the cast of five welcomes audiences to the room, frequently perching on the steps and sharing knowing looks and laughs with audience members, makes you feel like you’re sharing stories with friends.
There’s absolutely no fourth wall, and the staging helps to add to that effect. Soft lights, phasing through various colours, form a calming atmosphere, as if you’re in a safe storytelling bubble. Be prepared to be whisked through time to learn more about an LGBTQ+ community that cuts through the centuries – and one that is ready to welcome you home.
Everyone on stage is clearly having so much fun that it’s infectious. Seemingly improvised asides to one another make the entire show feel off the cuff and alive. When one performer does a vague but convincing impersonation of an undefinable creature, another jokes that they’re not sure whether the animal would fly, crawl, or run away – but nonetheless, they’re gone.
Quips like that one draw real laughs from the audience. The stories feel authentic, as though Remythed is being formed as we speak. You’re watching stories develop in real time, and it’s a pleasure to be included in the ever-changing process.
Each story, covering a wide range of characters from Lilith to Lady Godiva, has only minutes of stage time but carries incredible weight. The cast members take on roles irrespective of gender, stepping between kings, gods, and irascible ladies with ease. It’s an impressive feat to cover so much ground seemingly effortlessly – and to have fun while doing it.
Remythed is a warm hug of a play, ideal to learn more about myths and legends through a new lens.
