Metamorphoses: Drowning in symbolism

A play set in and around water is bound to make something of a splash. But, apart from providing a handy opening sentence, just what is the purpose of setting most of the action in and around water?

Supposedly, the aim is to demonstrate the transformative nature and power of water, underlined by the opening sequence and the initial reference to creation and the development of order from chaos. But, the symbolism creaks a bit.

Playwright (and original director) Mary Zimmerman based Metamorphoses on David Slavitt’s translation of Ovid’s narrative poem relating a number of Roman myths. Ovid’s work, written in 8 A.D.— the same year that the Roman Emperor Augustus banished him for the immorality of his writings — is sometimes called a mock epic.

Certainly, Zimmerman retains this tone, particularly in the story of Phaeton, son of Apollo the Sun God, which is presented as the young man describing his relationship issues with his father to a psychiatrist.

Originally presented as Six Myths at Northwestern University, Illinois, in 1996 and, two years later, in its expanded form by Lookingglass Theatre Company, Chicago, followed by off-Broadway and Broadway productions, Metamorphoses has sparked renewed interest recently.

Its appearance at the National Arts Centre is part of the previous artistic director of English Theatre Peter Hinton’s legacy to the current artistic director Jillian Keiley. Her elegant production is enhanced by superb lighting effects from Leigh Ann Vardy and a fine ensemble cast, each in multiple roles and all skilled in the art of storytelling.

However, although a number of the myths are familiar—and I have always been very interested in Greek and Roman mythology—and they are presented with humour and energy, the style of the show is…uh…waterlogged.

By Mary Zimmerman

NAC English Theatre Company

Director: Jillian Keiley

Set and costumes: Bretta Gerecke

Lighting: Leigh Ann Vardy

Composer and music director: Jonathon Monro

Cast:

Ryan Allen, Petrina Bromley,Rachel Casseus, Ishan Davé, Rosemary Dunsmore, David Francis, Gemma James-Smith, Andy Massingham, Alix Sideris, Joey Tremblay.