Hadestown has finally landed in Melbourne at Her Majesty’s Theatre after a sold-out season in Sydney, and let’s just say the road to hell never sounded so good.
For those who’ve been living under a rock (or perhaps in the sunlit world above), Hadestown intertwines two mythic love stories, that of Orpheus and Eurydice, as well as the king of the underworld Hades and his wife Persephone, with a killer blend of American folk, blues, and New Orleans jazz.
Initially written as a concept album in 2010 by American folk singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell, the songs and themes of Hadestown later evolved into what is now a Tony Award-winning Broadway smash hit.
These classic Greek myths are told with a refreshing twist, and some fantastic stage magic.
This Australian production, presented by Opera Australia and Jones Theatrical Group, brings a gritty, industrial vibe to the stage.
Multi-ARIA Award-winning artist Christine Anu shines as the charismatic narrator Hermes, guiding us through the tragic love story of the idealistic Orpheus (Noah Mullins) and the pragmatic Eurydice (Eliza Soriano), who blew us away with her performance.
The powerhouse vocals of Elenoa Rokobaro as Persephone and the menacing bass-baritone of Adrian Tamburini as Hades are standouts, creating a captivating dynamic between the underworld rulers.
We also loved the triple threats of singer, musician and dancers Sarah Murr, Jennifer Trijo and Imani Williams as The Fates and a brilliant on-stage band. Griffin Young’s trombone solos were a particular treat.
The set design, with its clever moving buildings and industrial sized doorway to hell alongside the on-stage musicians perfectly shows both the earthly realm and the raw factory depths of Hadestown.
The music is infectious, the storytelling is poignant, and the themes of love, loss, and hope resonate deeply.
Don’t miss your chance to descend into Hadestown.
It’s a theatrical experience that will stay with you long after the final note fades. Just be warned, you might find yourself humming those haunting melodies for weeks to come.
– The Plus Ones
