Metamorphoses

Do you want to hear a story…?

Read about our Edinburgh Fringe 2012 venture with the critically acclaimed “Metamorphoses: Fables from Ovid”

“Pared-down Metamorphoses it may be, but it’s full of charisma and completely engaging” **** Fest Mag

“Simplistically clever and slick storytelling” **** RemoteGoat.co.uk

Not for the faint-hearted. Six myths from Ovid’s Metamorphoses are retold by four girls and their Matron, in a Victorian boarding school dormitory. The night before their debutant ball, where they will transform (in the eyes of society) into women, they recount stories of transformation to each other, using only bed linen to weave their tales. Horror blends with comedy through inspired staging and a darkly twisted script.

Do you want to hear a story…?

“Don’t be fooled by the fresh faces and lily-white dresses… This play’s themes make the Saw films look like Dora the Explorer” Bristol Evening Post

Directed by Ellie Grice. Written by Helena Hoyle & Silvie Kilgallon. Music composed and directed by Sara Garrard. Photography by Peter Bagot. With thanks to Miranda Bate & Matthew Watt.

Read our interview in The New Current: “There are ways to make a good first impression and there are ways to make a great one…”

“This ensemble has created an enjoyable and fun way of presenting these classical pieces without sacrificing emotional depth” **** – EdFringe review

A “wonderfully fresh and lively production” **** – British Theatre Guide

Publius Ovidius Naso (Ovid)

A little bit about our inspiration: Roman writer of Metamorphoses, Ovid.

Publius Ovidius Naso was born in 43 BC in the Abruzzi. His earliest work, the Amores, appeared c. 25 BC, as a collection of love poems. There followed the Heroides (letters written by mythological heroines), the infamous Ars Amatoria (the art of love) and the Remedia Amores (remedies for love).

Both the Metamorphoses, and his elegy on Roman festivals, the Fasti, were written simultaneously between AD 1-8, by which time Ovid was considered the leading poet in Rome. However, he was exiled in the latter year by Augustus Caesar for both his poetry (Ars Amatoria) and an unspecified crime. He died in exile in AD 17, having been married thrice and with one daughter.

Hecate Theatre’s Metamorphoses: Fables from Ovid is a twisted retelling of six stories from Ovid’s original work, which weaves myth, parody and Augustan society into a 15 book epic concerning the creation of the world. Metamorphoses has influenced writers and artists over two millennia, including Chaucer, Shakespeare and even Bob Dylan. The last line reads: ‘ad mea perpetuum deducite tempora carmen’ (‘and my song will last for all time’). We like to think he was right.

Design Competition winner – Lucy Youngman

I’ve studied art for years, and after completing a degree in Illustration, I knew I wanted to nurture a very creative career path for myself. I enjoy drawing, and love the richness of colour that art can bring, but wanting to push myself further and do more than putting pen to paper I’ve just started a 7 week intensive course in make up and prosthetics at the Neill Gorton Prosthetics Studio. Hopefully I can soon combine my love of art, design, film and TV and put it to good use!

We love the way Lucy’s design incorporates the theme of ‘weaving tales’ so recurrent in the show. She’s even included the wriggling snakes from the Tiresias story! You can see Lucy’s design on our Edinburgh Fringe 2012 flyers and posters. Visit Lucy’s website and follow her on Twitter @klucylu.

Cast

Amy – Glenys Leigh McIntyre
Glenys Leigh trained with CircusWest Performing Arts Society, Vancouver for 7 years and has worked with Hecate Theatre since its conception. Past theatre roles include a variety of minions, princesses, creepy dolls, stroppy teenagers, & prostitutes. She also enjoys choreographing sword-fights and doing handstands. Follow her @GlenysLeigh

Jane – Nicola Foxfield
Nicola Foxfield is a singer, dancer and actress with a penchant for marshmallows and steam locomotives. Prior to working with Hecate she has played princesses, witches, small boys and even a singing Jane Seymour. More information can be found at www.nicolafoxfield.co.uk. Follow her @NicolaFoxfield

Lucy – Hannah-Marie Chidwick
Hannah is a member of the BOV Young Company and founder of Hecate Theatre. She loves any excuse to play characters far removed from herself, particularly if it involves a silly voice. Other recent roles include: Frances Ecclehart in The Graveyard Slot and Viola/Sebastian in Twelfth Night. Follow her @hannahmarie_c

Mary – Natalie Jones
Natalie is currently studying for a Masters in Biology at Bristol University. She has worked extensively with Swansea’s Dylan Thomas theatre and the University’s pantomime society, as well as performing in Hecate Theatre’s Stockings by the Fire: A Vaudeville Christmas Cabaret last year. Follow her @Nat_E_Jones

Matron – Gemma Reynolds
Gemma trained at the Actors’ Studio under Val Colgan. Theatre work includes: Ella Hickson’s Eight, Othello, Summer and Smoke and Lady Windermere’s Fan. Film work includes independent features, shorts and web sitcoms, The Splott Division and The Low Life. Follow her @GemmaHReynolds