Achilles, Death of the Gods.
Spoken Word (storytelling, theatre)
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Venue 152Paradise in Augustines - The Snug
- 15:45
- Aug 25
- 45 minutes
- Country: United Kingdom - England
- Group: Jo Kelen
- Warnings and additional info: Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes, Scenes of a sexual nature, Scenes of sexual violence, Scenes of violence, Strong language/swearing, Explicit reference to bodily mutilation
- Babes in arms policy: Babies do not require a ticket
- Policy applies to: Children under 2 years
Description
A new, bold, poetic reimagining of the myth of Achilles, from storyteller and classicist Jo Kelen. The warrior Achilles finds himself in Troy, fighting a war that is not his. Following a bloody and tragic sequence of events, Achilles’ lover Patroclus is killed in battle. Achilles, enveloped in an insatiable rage and desire for retribution, inflicts unspeakable horrors upon those around him. Content Warnings: Explicit reference to violence, sexual violence and mutilation of the body.Please note that while all media gallery content is provided by verified members of the event, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society does not review or approve this content before it is posted. Reports of inappropriate content or copyright infringement can be directed to [email protected].
General venue access
- Accessible entry: The audience enter from George IV Bridge, with a couple of steps to enter the building. A temporary ramp is also available. The Snug is located downstairs, via a single width staircase. The audience enter in the side of the auditorium. The front row is all level access.
- Stairs: 20+
Wheelchair access type: Not fully wheelchair accessible
Each venue can contain several space with different accessibly information. Visit the venue page for full venue accessibility info
How and when to make an access booking
- Phone: +44 (0)131 226 0002
- Email: [email protected]
- Textphone: +44 (0)7860 018 299
- Find out more about access at the Fringe.
Our access tickets service is available to anyone who:
- Would like to book specific accessibility services, e.g. a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units, seating in relation to the location of the BSL interpreter
- Requires extra assistance when at a venue
- Has specific seating requirements
- Is a wheelchair user
- Requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance
Hugh Jbell 13 days ago
Great BELL! The bell was very sonorous. Very sonorous bell made the show for me.
John Rayment 15 days ago
Completely captivating and enthralling. A superb retelling of the ancient Greek tale.
Andy Newman 17 days ago
A captivating retelling of Achilles’ part in the Trojan war, made all the more effective by its simplicity - a single masterful storyteller using voice and body to take the audience back to the plains of Troy. Fantastic use of language. Highly recommended!
Geoffrey Scott 19 days ago
A powerful performance using the classical style of storytelling. Jo has taken this tale from historical literature and moulded it for the modern audience. She is a very good actor, clearly at home in this period, her timing is excellent and she can invoke emotion and empathy for the characters she portrays. The audience was very impressed.
eleanor griffin 21 days ago
A profound and powerful piece punctuated by deeply amusing moments that served to humanise the characters. Jo manages to make each character feel completely distinct from one another whilst maintaining an effortless fluidity and audience engagement. The deviations from the original source material are also extremely interesting to think about for long time after the end of the performance. In short it was spectacular.
Olli George 24 days ago
Excellent to see classical tales being told in the continuation of oral-poetic tradition. Jo is dynamic, engaging and a natural storyteller. The modern take on the tale was refreshing and faithful at the same time. A must see for any student (or ex student!) of classics or anyone with an interest oral story-telling.
Warren 25 days ago
Really enjoyed this Greek story telling in an intimate space.
Alastair Henderson 25 days ago
Very powerful - both in content and performance. Great to be reminded of the power of straight storytelling and of myth. Congratulations to Jo Kelen for devising the piece and for her performance. Certainly worth seeing.
Karyn Bartosic 25 days ago
Jo pulls you in from the first bell ring: it is a tale of rage, of love, of humanity millennia-old, made new. Go see it!
Maria Sabatini 26 days ago
Minimalist and intimate setting for this entertaining and engaging narration of Achilles' story. Jo's performance really brings the characters to life. One to see!
Jay Fitzsimmons 28 days ago
The broad strokes of the achilles story are quite familiar, but this rendition is powerful, intimate and personal in a way that shines light on aspects generally overlooked. Highly recommended
Scott Sharp 30 days ago
Jo is such an engaging performer and storyteller that they could challenge Homer himself. Their modern interpretation of the classic story, brings out the intimacy and occasional raunchiness of Achilles and Patroclus's relationship, grants agency to the oft-forgotten Briseis, and emphasises the destructive arrogance of the characters often called heroes. Fuck Agamemnon.
David Campton 31 days ago
Jo, a classicist by profession, the writer and performer of this powerful piece of poetic storytelling, takes us back to a bronze age campfire with this timeless tale. But she strips it of its supernatural elements, erasing the fickle gods from Homer's tale, and in doing so suggests that Achilles' actions might well be a function of an atheism that promises no justice or threatens no retribution.
Martin Begley 32 days ago
Jo’s storytelling skills are a marvel. From bringing you around the campfire to dramatic set pieces, she manages to draw you into the classical world and take you on a real journey of love, betrayal and vengeance in this one woman spoken word show. I was completely captivated and highly recommend this fantastic piece of writing, poetry and storytelling which has real resonance and poignancy in 2024.
gerard Carroll 34 days ago
This is an intense piece of solo theatre, which tells the story of Achilles with a directness which does not require any prior knowledge of the material. It has haunting contemporary echoes, although it is true to its source in the epics of the Trojan war.
Alex Batten 35 days ago
We had an amazing experience here of Bronze Age storytelling around the campfire. A fiery, intimate, evocative and clever re-telling of the emotions of the great Achilles and Patroclus. Well worth a visit!
Michael Hughes 35 days ago
I'm not a classist like the writer and performer of this show, Jo Kelen, but I was blown away by it. Using nothing but a few simple props, this eloquent and extremely engaging artiste brings the Trojan war to life, particularly the passionate and doomed relationship between Achilles and Patroclus. Gory, funny and heart-breaking, this is a show that's well worth your time. I predict some 4 & 5 star reviews for this one so see it while you can!
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The Student 19 days ago
Broadway Baby 26 days ago
Get Your Coats On 26 days ago
Edinburgh Reviews 29 days ago
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.