‘Love, power, and vengeance’
What is Love to a Goddess? is a work in progress solo-show based on the Greek mythical story of Medea and Jason performed and written by Maz Hedgehog. Presented as part of PUSH Festival at HOME MCR – a celebration of creative talent across the North West – the performance explores themes of love, power, and vengeance.
Medea (Hedgehog) leads the audience through a narrative steeped in obsession and betrayal, as she falls for Jason when he arrives in Colchis seeking the Golden Fleece. Her love quickly turns destructive, as she murders her own brother to secure Jason’s success, leading to marriage and a new life in Corinth.
The show’s strongest moments lie in its portrayal of Medea’s conflicting emotions on motherhood, as she tends to a crying baby while reflecting on her choices. The narrative builds towards the revelation that she has killed multiple children she has birthed, yet she remains devoted to Jason. When he dismisses their marriage as illegitimate and pursues a new wife, Medea’s response is predictably violent. The final act, set decades later, provides some introspection but feels abrupt, leaving more to be explored in terms of emotional depth and nuance.
Hedgehog’s performance has moments of strength, particularly in their ability to hold the audience’s attention, but at times the delivery feels uneven. The script, while ambitious, could benefit from tighter pacing and deeper exploration of Medea’s motivations beyond anger and vengeance. Though the production effectively modernizes the myth, some of its emotional beats feel underdeveloped, making it difficult to fully engage with Medea’s transformation over time.
As a work-in-progress, What is Love to a Goddess? has a lot of promise. This is a good attempt at bringing this story to life. Hedgehog’s creative vision is evident, though further polish will be necessary to elevate this work to its full potential. I look forward to seeing them flourish in their career.