Ancient tale of gore and monsters
Beowulf - Theatre Royal on Tour, Woolpit Village Hall
Beowulf's legendary exploits, crossing the sea to thrash the cursed Grendel and his even uglier mother, have been admiringly re-told since the seventh century. Hugh Lupton's gripping version introduced a modern audience to the word-hoard of this action-adventure and the novelty of listening to live story-telling.
Beowulf is the only match for stealthy and swift shadow-stalker Grendel, whose terrifying attacks have desolated Heorot. The skill with which the rescuer is presented grappling by hand is vividly captured in this account. The graphically detailed fight which leaves the monster's arm dripping bloodily off the ceiling has to be a winner.
Not content with seeing to Grendel, and to prove a point to the doubters like Unferth, Beowulf does need another foe. Grendel's monstrous hell-bride mother turns up seeking her boy's lost arm and revenge, but misjudged her foe and was dramatically dispatched, boiled in her own lake.
Hugh's mesmerising tone, and the richness of the Anglo-Saxon original, force the imaginative attention of the listeners. Rick Wilson's persuasive percussion weaves its way into this celebration of the spoken word, heightening awareness of the sound patterns of our own language.
Does the story echo like a violent video game? Yes, it's full of monsters, frantic stabbings, blood and heroic death. There is, thankfully, no attempt to sanitise the story of violent action, but this magnificent story is there to be treasured in all its gore. Hugh Lupton's presentation of this unique poem is simply outstanding. Get hold of a recording if you missed it first time around.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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