The timeless tale of Orpheus is set to take on a new dimension at this year’s Newcastle Fringe Festival, as international artist Shakti brings an evocative, eastern-inspired retelling of the Greek myth.
Fusing elements of Indian dance and yoga, this production reimagines the legend with a global perspective, exploring the boundaries between life and death in a wholly unique way.
Traditionally, the story of Orpheus follows a gifted musician who loses his beloved wife, Eurydice, to a fatal snake bite. Overcome with grief, he journeys to the underworld in a desperate attempt to bring her back.
Shakti’s interpretation delves into this classic narrative but shifts the focus, presenting death not as an end, but as the beginning of a transformative journey. Through hypnotic movement and striking visual storytelling, audiences will be transported into the depths of the underworld, encountering lost souls, the stillness of the River Styx, and the spiritual reckoning that awaits Orpheus.
Renowned for her boundary-pushing performances, Shakti has captivated audiences across the globe with her distinctive fusion of dance and yoga. Her work is celebrated for its ability to blend the sensual with the surreal, crafting experiences that are at once exotic, eerie, and deeply moving.
Following widespread acclaim at last year’s Adelaide Fringe and the Avignon Festival for her show Classique Nu, Shakti now brings her mesmerising artistry to Newcastle. The fusion of eastern mysticism with a classical Greek narrative is expected to offer audiences a performance unlike anything seen before at the festival.
Orpheus by Shakti will be at The Royal Exchange, Newcastle, from 27 to 29 March as part of the Newcastle Fringe Festival. Check out the full festival guide and grab your tickets at newcastlefringe.com.au.
