Pilot Theatre presents A Song for Ella Grey retelling the mythical story of Orpheus through a group of highly intelligent A-level students based in Northumbria, who are desperately navigating their way through love, sex and identity as they move into adulthood.

Claire (Olivia Onyehara) and Ella Grey (Grace Long) have been friends for as long as Claire can remember. Their friendship is exceptionally close and almost crosses over into a romantic relationship. However, the group’s trip to the beach a beguiling song only heard at first by Ella draws her towards someone or something potentially dangerous.

Beth Crame offers a range of characters alongside the predominant role of Angeline. Throughout the play, she intermittently takes on the part of Claire and Ella’s mothers who are opposite in their parenting mindset. Crame has an incredible stage presence.  Alongside Amonik Melaco as Sam and Jonathan Iceton in the role of Jay.

The figure of the beguiling creature depicting the mythical Orpheus never fully reveals itself to the audience. We are offered mysterious shadow images where they have branches sprouting out from their head, similar to antlers on a Stag. There’s a mysterious and mesmerising aura around this character. It reminded me of the song of the sirens which lured sailors into danger on the sea.

The cast of five defines and shows strong performances of what it is like to fall in love and hold onto respect in friendships throughout the play. The relationships are closely entwined throughout and everything that takes place has a profound impact on each one of them.

Director Esther Richardson and musical director Emily Levy create a mysterious mythical story to life through the eyes of a generation that younger audiences can potentially relate to as they navigate their own experiences of friendship and love in a world that is confusing and beautiful in equal measure.

For more information on this play and future productions at Theatre Peckham please check out the link below.

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