Invercargill-based director Pip Smith brings to life a reimagining of the classic myth Orpheus as told through the eyes of its heroine, Eurydice, to Invercargill audiences this week.

A first for Repertory Invercargill, Eurydice brings together contemporary characters, ingenious plot twists, and a fresh look at a timeless love story that is relatable, accessible and, at times, jolly good fun, Smith says.

“I first saw a rehearsed reading of this play in around 2004 put on by Carving in Ice in Hamilton. It wrecked me - I was sobbing by the end and it stayed with me,” she said.

An intricate play with challenging set and stage design, Smith says she knew Repertory Invercargill would be able to achieve this show mostly due to having such an excellent set design team and fantastic support with the lighting.

“Repertory has an audience that will enjoy it and has a committee that got behind staging a show like this.”

Lydia Blomfield plays Euridice in her first lead role for Repertory, last seen on stage as Siobhan in The Pink Hammer, and is joined by veterans Neil McDonald as Father and Aimee Marshall, Victoria Morgan and Maggie Pirie as Loud Stone, Little Stone and Big Stone. Joining the cast are two relative newcomers to Repertory Invercargill, Jack Gilmore and Danny Dunkinfield.

Smith said the show has a personal meaning for her, beyond the joy of leading such a talented team through such a journey.

“Imagine getting to see your Father again after you both died? What would you say? What would you share? My father is alive but a man who was like another father to me, Uncle Martin as we called him, a musician, storyteller and loved by his community of friends, died unexpectedly last year at the age of 61. That and a few other deaths of friends in the past few years has had me reflecting on the nature of grief.”

Euridyce by Sarah Ruhl will be performed at Repertory Invercargill on 21-24 August 2024

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