Review: Oedipus Electronica

Following their last show Medea Electronica, experimental theatre company Pecho Mama once again draw from ancient Greece; this time, transplanting mythical characters into more contemporary and familiar contexts. 

Oedipus Electronica is based on the story of the tragic hero that unwittingly kills his own father and marries his mother but in this version, Oedipus’ mother Jocasta is the central figure, with Oedipus as her fictional creation. Artistic Director Mella Faye, who plays Jocasta, excels in her performance as a struggling writer enduring an ectopic pregnancy and this switching of focus is effective in amplifying themes such as motherhood.

Faye’s overall sound design, alongside the lighting and technical details are used to great effect to heighten the drama and storytelling, especially at moments of climax like Oedipus’ act of self-blinding. But there are times when the musical backdrop, though skilfully composed and performed, feels disconnected from the main action, temporarily removing you from the dialogue, even at points when the audience is directly acknowledged.

Modern reinterpretations of Greek mythology require an element of divergence – there is, after all, a cliché that can come naturally with tales that have been read, told and depicted for thousands of years. With Oedipus Electronica, the company loses some of that balance due to moments that feel overwrought. But still, in their retelling of such stories with the addition of jazz and electronic-infused soundtracks, Pecho Mama emphasise an originality that enables the suspense and the devastation to quietly simmer.