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ED2011 4/5 Reviews ED2011 Theatre Reviews
Beowulf – A Thousand Years Of Baggage (Banana Bag And Bodice)
By Katie Allen | Published on Tuesday 23 August 2011
Beowulf wants his dragon-fight, Grendel wants his mother, and just about everybody wants to get their own back in this play about violence and vengeance that turns assumptions on their head and bulldozes through expectations. Me? I want to know where Grendel’s got to: the monster has a disconcerting habit of disappearing, only to turn up later swigging beer – sometimes spewing it – somewhere in the audience. Mixing Old English with thoroughly modern diction, and swords with thumb-wars, this is high drama wonderfully combined with ridiculous comedy, not to mention great songs. It’s slightly over the top in places, but this is easily forgiven when weighed against the discordant yet goosebump-giving score, admirable acting and refreshing new take on the epic poem.
Assembly George Square, 11 – 29 Aug (not 15), 4.00pm (5.10pm), £12.00 – £14.00, fpp242.
tw rating 4/5
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