Type and hit ENTER

Commonly used tags...

Brighton Festival Brighton Fringe Brighton Pride British Sea Power Cinecity Lewes Psychedelic Festival Locally Sourced Lost & Found Love Supreme Festival Mutations Festival Nick Cave Poets Vs MCs Politics Rag'n'Bone Man Record Store Day Save Our Venues Six Of The Best Source Virgins Streets Of Brighton Street Source Tattoos The Great Escape Tru Thoughts Unsung Heroes
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Advertise
Medea Electronica | Brighton Source
Medea Electronica | Brighton Source
Reviews

Medea Electronica Review

Mar 28, 2017
-
Posted by Mike Aiken

Medea Electronica is a thumping good show with a high tension wire running through its centre. It’s more than a gig, a bit less than theatre, an extravaganza with no shortage of drama.

The story adapts the ancient Greek myth about Medea and sets it in a northern town during Margaret Thatcher’s reign. It starts as an everyday tale of divorce. Jason has run off. Medea is left with two kids. At bedtime the children say: “There are monsters under the bed.” Dead right.

It’s a chaotic home. The teacher is ringing Medea about one of the boys: “We’re looking for the best way to support him.” The solicitor tells her that Jason wants sole custody. The tension wire is getting tauter. She wants to cover the kids in syrup and eat them up.

The show is written and devised by Pecho Mama, a collaboration between musicians and performers. The vocals of Mella Faye (of Big Band fame) are backed by Alex Stanford (keyboard) and Sam Cox (drums) who are on stage throughout. Six other roles are played by disembodied voices offstage. This works deliciously and adds to the sense of madness. These voices might even be in Medea’s head.

What inspired the show? Mella told us she was keen to portray a female character who had done something terrible. “The challenge would be to get the audience onside – the play breaks all the most horrific taboos.” The dark pop/progressive rock both created and enhanced the script. Mella explained that they “started by clapping Indian rhythms and the songs grew from the basslines”. The spin-off album is just out.

The climax is classic. A manic drummer. Billowing smoke. Poking lights conjure Medea in silhouette, bathed in blood red. The final tableau rightly brings a standing ovation from a packed house.

The Old Market, Thursday 16th March 2017
Words by Mike Aiken
Photo by Rachel Strange

Mar 28, 2017
Email
Mike Aiken
Mike lives in Brighton. This is a full time occupation. He's also a researcher, writer and activist. Any time left over he spends hanging around cafes and pubs listening to people on their phones. He loves theatre that pokes into difficult places. You won't find him on Facebook.
← PREVIOUS POST
DIY Art Market, Sun 30th April
NEXT POST →
Foodies Festival, 28th April - 1st May
Mailing List

Recent Posts
  • Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts Review
    Oct 21, 2025

    Expectations are high with a new Inspector Morse story on stage, sadly this is more a ghost of a Morse story, although die hard fans might enjoy it for the nostalgia.

  • The Lovely Eggs Interview
    Oct 15, 2025

    The Lovely Eggs tell us about their 20th anniversary, the new album and tour with Polite Bureax and some comedy legends supporting.

  • Ocean Film Festival Review 2025
    Oct 11, 2025

    A selection of beautifully shot short films covering diverse ocean lovers' passion for interacting with the sea.

  • Fractured Album Launch, Saturday 20th December
    Oct 10, 2025

    Fractured celebrate the release of their new album supported by Amelia And The Housewives.

  • 2:22 A Ghost Story Review
    Oct 7, 2025

    An evening of two couples having dinner together has never before been so gripping and enthralling, filled with tension, with the ultimate question: is their new house haunted or not?

  • Richard Hawley Review
    Oct 5, 2025

    As Coles Corner turns 20, Richard Hawley dazzled and delighted an up-for-it Worthing crowd with a 2 hour-plus set.

  • Brighton Psych Fest 2025 Review
    Sep 26, 2025

    The second Brighton Psych Fest was a beauty as we got down with Getdown Services as the evening sunlight glowed through the Concorde Stained Glass.

  • David Devant & His Spirit Wife, Friday 12th December
    Sep 23, 2025

    One of Brighton's greatest live bands returns for a pre-Xmas homecoming party.

Website developed in Brighton by Infobo
Copyright © Brighton Source 2009-2023
Medea Electronica Review - Brighton Source