Medusa's Snakes: The Aftermath

We’ve all heard of the snake-laden monster from Greek mythology whose victims turn to stone at the very sight of her. This production provides an altogether tamer view of the beast.

Two of Medusa’s loyal snake follicles discover that their mistress has been beheaded and subsequently attempt to locate the villain responsible. A noble venture, perhaps, except for the fact that the pair can't actually set out upon their mission, attached as they are to their late mistress' head. It’s an adventure story that's deliberately unadventurous.

The opening of the performance is promising. In the intimate setting of the Space@Jury’s Inn venue, where the audience sits practically on top of the performers, a giant head forms the centre-piece and dominates the stage. From this emerge the comic duo, Jamie Gordon and Sam Cunningham-Siggs who, decked in their serpent attire, look more like two giant condoms than paralysed snakes. Both appear to be strong actors but what begins as a snappy repartee from the pen of Lauren Elizabeth Pope, gradually descends into a monotonous discussion. Some vaguely amusing lines pepper the script and a Classics lesson is also thrown into the bargain, but this Monty Python-esque situational comedy would have fared better as a ten minute sketch.

At one Point Snake one perceptively notes, “we have no choice but to sit around all day discussing nonsense.” And that's exactly what they do.