Bullheaded

Chronically Ch(ill) Productions—Planetarium Auditorium

What a polar show. From the cutesy puppets and the flippant beginning, I thought this was going to be a Kids’ Fringe type of show.

Then it darkened very quickly.

I read a lot of Greek Mythology back when I had time to read. It’s been decades but I don’t think the rendition from Hailley Rhoda fits entirely with the plot of the Myth. But what is Myth? In one of my discussion groups, there’s discourse that a Mythology is simply a Religion that’s been conquered. That makes sense; if a superior species conquers the Western World and the conquerors teach a new Religion, in a few generations, Christianity ceases to be a Religion and becomes a Mythology. Then interpretations change (and they do in religions as well) but what’s truth? Or Untruth? Rhoda’s angle works for this show so is it accurate? Who cares–just enjoy the show.

Rather than focus on the “hero” of the narrative, this show looks at the story from the eyes of Pasiphaë, wife of Minos and mother of the Minotaur. It’s raw, gripping and devastating. I find the later shift—towards the end of the show—a drastic re-shift. We went from levity to devastation, but then the bit with Theseus tries to turn comedic again. That’s too much emotional shift. You went from fun to ripping hearts out—let’s just leave those hearts hanging by the aortae. Despite that, well worth the journey.

Ray Yuen