Iphigenia in Splott

5
Gary Owen's powerful new adaptation of the enduring Greek myth.
By Robert Iles - 30th Mar 2016

Iphigenia in Splott reviewThis is a one-women play with a lot to say for itself and a very distinct way of saying it.

Using the coarse language and harsh accent of the Splott area of Cardiff and feeding off the feeling of increasing isolation and depravation of an area hit repeatedly by cuts and loss of services we are presented with Effie, the Iphigenia of this tale whose eventual self-sacrifice for what she sees as the common good gives us the title.

Challenging the way we see her, a drunken and agressive waster, we are drawn into her tale and intially we think our assessment is correct. However, as the story unfolds in her roller coaster life we see her differently as she in turn comes to see, and present, those around her differently.

Ultimately, the play is telling us that when it comes to cuts in services and support then "we're all in it together" but some are not in it so deeply because they are standing on the shoulders of Effie, the fat mother, the 70 year old on night shift and the other people of Splott. And, to an extent, it is true, Google it ....

Sophie Melville's performance is extraordinary; powerful, engaging, moving and credible. She makes Effie someone you both want to shun and hug, reject and include, blame and defend. Effie is what she is, a self-destructive product of her environment and the slow dismantling of her community but also a vulnerable and ultimately tragic young woman. Gary Owen's writing and Sophie's performance come together to create a powerful, moving and thoroughly memorable 75 minutes of drama.

I loved it!


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