Theatre / “The Penelopiad”, written by Margaret Atwood, presented by Crouching Giraffe and Papermoon, at Canberra Theatre Courtyard Studio until July 17. Reviewed by SIMONE PENKETHMAN.

THE Penelopaid is feminist author, Margaret Atwood (of Handmaid’s tale fame’s) retelling of a grim story of Greek hero Odysseus’ wife Penelope.

For 20 years, faithful Penelope is left at home with their son while her more well-known husband sieges Troy for 10 years and sails the high seas of adventure for another 10. When he finally returns home he rewards his wife’s fidelity by butchering her hopeful suitors and hanging her 12 young maids.

Directed by Kate Blackhurst, a cast of 13 women play all roles. Elaine Noon is Penelope and the other 12 cast members play the maids as a stylised Greek chorus. These 12 players also slip in and out of other roles as the story unfolds. The show was cast in an open call to represent women of all ages and body types. Choreographed moves, songs and rhythmic speech are important aspects of the production. There is significant variation in the cast members’ vocal and movement skill. At times this lends an authenticity to the audience experience, at other times, it becomes distracting.

Heidi Silberman is outstanding as the short-legged hero, Odysseus, and Carolyn Eccles is compelling as Eurycleia, nurse to Odysseus and his son, and accomplice in the slaughter of the maids. The design and costumes by Annie Kay are a feast for the eyes and make beautiful use of the Courtyard Studio space.

Atwood’s text, which she adapted from an earlier novella is dense and wordy. The show runs for more than two hours including the interval. The play is set in Hades — all the players are dead and the audience knows from the beginning how this will end. The pacing is fairly even and the high level of foreshadowing leaves little room for dramatic tension. There is obvious hard work and commitment from the cast and production team but this show is possibly too faithful to Atwood’s text and could have benefited from the strong hand of a dramaturg or editor.