Medusa
An Ancient Myth for a Modern Time
An Ancient Myth for a Modern Time
Best listened to through headphones
Perseus and Medusa are wrapped in a story that has endured the ages. A story of heroic deeds and terrifying monsters.
This re-imagining of a familiar story investigates a dark side of this Greek myth, uncovering some disturbing truths that are as relevant today as ever they were, asking 'who are the real monsters in this ancient story.
Gary Cordingley takes an ancient Greek myth of power and betrayal, and drags it by its hair into the 21st century. This is a brave, searching, extraordinary storytelling performance, don’t miss it.
Lisa Shneidau
South Devon Storytellers.
This re-imagining of a familiar story investigates a dark side of this Greek myth, uncovering some disturbing truths that are as relevant today as ever they were, asking 'who are the real monsters in this ancient story.
Gary Cordingley takes an ancient Greek myth of power and betrayal, and drags it by its hair into the 21st century. This is a brave, searching, extraordinary storytelling performance, don’t miss it.
Lisa Shneidau
South Devon Storytellers.
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The Classics are littered with examples of Rape, sexual abuse and violence against women and yet, to the greater extent, this abhorrent behaviour seems to be accepted as normal, almost without question.
As part of my MA in authorial illustration at Falmouth University I was investigating the relevance of Greek mythology to the modern era. At a crucial moment in my research a global event took place that would galvanize my work and set me on a path that was to transform the ways in which I approached and delivered storytelling for ever. I was following many trains of thought around gender and storytelling at the time and had chosen to work with the Hero tale 'Perseus’. I was looking at Laura Bate's 'Every Day Sexism' as I was reading Ovid's Metamorphosis, where I discovered that Medusa had been raped by one god and then punished by another. These two misogynous incidents, coupled with a handful of other examples within the story were playing on my mind as news broke of the Harvey Weinstein scandal and the #MeToo campaign took off. |
I couldn’t help but see the parallels between the ancient myth and this event and began to pursue a deeper investigation that eventually led to the creation of a hand made book entitled ‘They Call Me Monster’ that contained images and short pieces of writing based on my imaginings of the way in which Medusa may have felt as a result of her situation.
Over the time that followed my graduation from the MA, I have created a storytelling performance of the Medusa story, which incorporates the story of Perseus. This story flips between the ancient and modern world where it also tells the story of a young woman who, on the verge of fame, encounters a “godlike” producer who has the power to decide her future career, depending on her compliance with his agenda. My hopes for this performance are for it to be widely seen and that, in some small way, it will it will help to bring about awareness and change, and work towards making the world a safer place for women and girls. |
Audience comments from recent scratch performance at the Old Library, Bodmin:
"The language was engaging with strong rhythms and images. The question of Medusa's predicament and personal tragedy was a new twist for me"
"Bringing Myths into modern life"
"Mesmerising...Brilliantly told"
"Really enjoyed seeing a different perspective on this story"
"I thought the language was great, the story relevant and the performance engaging and dynamic"
"The language was engaging with strong rhythms and images. The question of Medusa's predicament and personal tragedy was a new twist for me"
"Bringing Myths into modern life"
"Mesmerising...Brilliantly told"
"Really enjoyed seeing a different perspective on this story"
"I thought the language was great, the story relevant and the performance engaging and dynamic"
Under African Skies
Mamadou is no hunter. Neither is he a warrior, and as the time approaches for him to prove he is a man, he runs away from his village. Join him on his journey of adventure and discovery as his trek becomes a rite of passage, collecting many stories along the way.
I draw on my 20 year background in storytelling, street theatre and music to present an energetic evening of storytelling, drumming and song, bringing to life the story of one boys journey into manhood. This storytelling performance, originally created for three performers, is currently touring Storytelling clubs around the Uk and is available for booking now as a solo performance.
"There are not many British storytellers who can get away with telling African tales with such authenticity. The Culture is so different that to get to their essence, their rhythm and musicality takes real empathy and skill. But Gary carries it off with great charm in his show “Under African Skies”, ….a joy from start to finish.”
Sophie Snell. Flying Donkeys Storytelling Club. Derby. 2014
I draw on my 20 year background in storytelling, street theatre and music to present an energetic evening of storytelling, drumming and song, bringing to life the story of one boys journey into manhood. This storytelling performance, originally created for three performers, is currently touring Storytelling clubs around the Uk and is available for booking now as a solo performance.
"There are not many British storytellers who can get away with telling African tales with such authenticity. The Culture is so different that to get to their essence, their rhythm and musicality takes real empathy and skill. But Gary carries it off with great charm in his show “Under African Skies”, ….a joy from start to finish.”
Sophie Snell. Flying Donkeys Storytelling Club. Derby. 2014
Last night, Gary Cordingley kept the audience at Word of Mouth fully engaged, not only with his well told tale of Mamadou's journey into manhood, and the delightful folktales that he managed to weave so seamlessly into the story, but he also had us clapping and singing, joining in the choruses and eventually up and stomping out our own enthusiastic versions of a celebratory dance, all to the accompaniment of his excellent drumming on the Djembe. A lovely set altogether.
Honor Giles. Word of Mouth Storytelling Club. Manchester. 2014
Honor Giles. Word of Mouth Storytelling Club. Manchester. 2014
Participating
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Whether it be singing, clapping, dancing or simply eating a giant flea in a clearing in the jungle, Under African Skies is as much about taking part as it is about listening, and there are many opportunities for the audience to participate throughout the performance.
Images from the original touring show
Under African Skies was originally created with help from the Arts Council England and toured nationally in 2008.
As well as myself, in these photographs are Sens Sagna and Sue Amey.
As well as myself, in these photographs are Sens Sagna and Sue Amey.