Fringe Review: PENELOPE, Belly Button at Underbelly Cowgate
Photo credit: Supplied by the production
Whilst Christopher Nolan has spent vast amounts of money to tell the story of The Odyssey on the big screen, the new musical Penelope, currently playing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, is proving that the story can be told incredibly simply and still be emotionally powerful.
Penelope tells the story of Odysseus’ wife and her long and painful wait at home as she longs for her husband to return from war. It has been ten years since the war ended, other soldiers have returned but Odysseus hasn’t yet.
The book by Alex Bechtel, Grace McLean and Eva Steinmetz is good, with the monologues all feeling quite natural. They all work in this concert-come-cabaret style that the show is presented in, but we’re never entirely certain where we are and why we’re there. Are we joining Penelope in her home for a drink (and if so, why is she surrounded by musicians) or are we in a cabaret bar and Penelope is recounting her story?
It is the music and lyrics by Alex Bechtel that make this show so wonderful. There is a lovely mix of different musical energies throughout the show whilst maintaining a consistent sound. The orchestrations for the small band (piano, cello and drums) are beautiful, with some lovely harmonies and backing vocals added in only when necessary to really elevate particular moments.
Broadway star Grace McLean plays Penelope and she delivers a sublime performance. Her performance is full of emotion, but she portrays the character’s tendency to hide her sadness with humour or sarcasm perfectly. Her comic timing is spot on. She is captivating from the first moment - you could hear a pin drop whilst she’s delivering her monologues. Her vocals are outstanding - she brings the roof down whilst never feeling like she’s belting for the sake of showing off. It is a true honour to watch this major Broadway talent pour her heart and soul out on stage in such an intimate venue.
Director Eva Steinmetz ensures the piece feels at home in the space - the cast are on stage before the show starts and the whole room is used to good effect. The show is also lit beautifully, heightening the emotional impact of the show.
Penelope must be one of the best one-person musicals at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year and it’s a story that feels well suited to the one person (well, one person plus musicians) form. Don’t miss your chance to see a phenomenal Broadway talent give an incredibly moving performance of a beautiful score.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Jacob Bush