For 5 nights and 6 performances, the Tivoli in conjunction with Brisbane Festival was lucky enough to host the Little Bulb Theatre’s production of Orpheus, originally commissioned by the Battersea Arts Centre . A seemingly strange yet ultimately perfect marriage of Greek mythology and 1930s Parisian Jazz, this play within a play was something we would all happily watch over and over again. Yvette Pépin (Eugénie Pastor) playing the role of hostess opens the show and submits herself to the part of Eurydice, the half-tree half-woman oak nymph, whilst introducing the gypsy-jazz French guitar-slaying icon Django Reinhardt (Dominic Conway) to play Orpheus.

Enamored with his musical genius, Eurydice broke free from her oak tree and the pair instantly fell in love and wed, however their union was cut short by a tempestuous snake who somehow thought it was a good idea to bite our darling Eurydice, causing her descent into the underworld. Orpheus didn’t seem to give up easy and journeyed down past the furies, three-headed dogs and other netherworldly creatures to have a little chat to Hades and Persephone, striking a deal to being Eurydice back to the living. However, plagued by his insecurities, the deal turned sour and poor Eurydice was forever lost in the last two steps of the journey.

The standout piece was unquestionably Persephone’s solo, performed by Tom Penn, his hauntingly beautiful falsetto voice drew everyone in, some almost afraid to take a breath less they fall out of the moment forever. Some of the nicest people we have ever had the pleasure of working with, thank you from the bottom of our hearts Little Bulb Theatre, you were utterly amazing on and off stage!  

- Reviewed by Tivoli bar-babe Kat McCulloch with photos by Lachlan Douglas.