We sat down with co-directors Robbie Gordon and Jack Nurse (with a special visit from writer Owen Sutcliffe) ahead of their show Òran coming to London Pleasance from 11-13th November 2024.
Combining spoken word, lyrical storytelling and a pulsating electronic live score, this is the thrilling story of Òran and his journey to rescue his best friend from the Underworld. Should he arrive there, Hades might grant him the chance to lead his friend home…but at what cost?
What drew you to this particular myth, and how did you approach modernizing it for today’s audiences?
We were drawn to the Orpheus myth because of its timeless themes: the power of music and storytelling to confront loss, love, and the human desire to reclaim what’s lost. Orpheus’ journey to the underworld is steeped in emotion and symbolism, making it an ideal narrative to reimagine in a way that resonates with contemporary audiences. We approached modernizing Òran by embedding the story in the lived experiences of young people today, in collaboration with regular groups we work with, including our Youth Board.
How did you balance the live music with the narrative, and what challenges did you face in creating a sonic journey through the underworld?
The score is as much a character as Òran, the character performed by Robbie on stage. Composed with an ear towards creating an immersive, almost haunting experience, VanIves (composers) looked to artists like Bon Iver, James Blake, and Burial for inspiration—melding folk with electronic, blending soulful melodies with glitchy, fractured beats. One of the main challenges was ensuring that the music underscored the story’s emotional highs and lows without overwhelming it. Our goal was to make the audience feel as though they were journeying through the underworld alongside Orpheus, swept by a tide of sound and story.
Owen, Òran marks your first theatre piece. How did working with Wonder Fools influence your writing process, and what was it like translating the myth into this dynamic form of contemporary theatre?
Working with Wonder Fools was transformative. The collaboration brought my writing to life in unexpected ways; I had to think not just as a writer, but as a creator shaping an entire sensory experience. Translating the myth into Òran meant embracing its lyrical essence but imbuing it with a raw, spoken-word immediacy that spoke to today’s world. Wonder Fools’ expertise in blending theatre with music and movement pushed me to think about the performance as an experience which was incredibly creatively stimulating for my first commission.
Robbie Gordon not only acts but also performs the score live throughout the show. How did you approach integrating music and performance, and what kind of preparation was required to make this seamless on stage?
Integrating music and performance was an intricate process that required Robbie to be both musician and storyteller simultaneously. We structured rehearsals to allow Robbie to experiment with how the score interplayed with the dialogue. We also worked on real-time sound modulation, so the audience could feel shifts in tone and emotion as they happened. Hopefully the result is a seamless, kinetic experience where the music and storytelling intertwine in a way that has a narrative force, and is also just exciting to watch a performer challenged for 60 minutes in such a way.
What do you hope modern audiences will take away from Òran, particularly in terms of how it resonates with today’s world?
It’s a total buzz of a journey to go on; a belter of an original score by VanIves; an engaging and dynamic performance onstage and a story which will push and pull you all the way. Through the mix of spoken word, live music, and storytelling, we hope Òran ignites a sense of connection and reflection, encouraging audiences to think about what they are willing to sacrifice and what they might gain by facing their own underworlds. Come along for the ride.