Gareth's Culture and Travel Blog

Every now and again you witness a performance so extraordinary you’re bursting to recommend it to others, and you know you’ll still be talking about it in years to come. Astonishingly, that has happened to me three times in the last six months – Jodie Comer in Prima Facie, Mark Rylance in Jerusalem and now Sophie Melville, the latter two reprising roles they’ve played before that I’ve already seen.

I first saw this play at the Edinburgh fringe seven years ago. It was the highlight that year. The play resonates as much, if not more, it survives the move to a bigger stage and the performance has grown. It’s a mesmerising 75 minutes. Loosely based on the Greek story but set in present day Cardiff, in the working class area of Splott, Effie commands the stage and our attention, breaking the fourth wall even before she’s begun telling her story, goading us to react to her loud, brash, frank, honest tale.

She drinks, a lot, the hangovers as low as the boozing sessions are high. She has a boyfriend, well sort of, but remains promiscuous. Always up for an argument or a fight, she seems to have no fear. She meets a soldier, makes her move, continues even when she discovers his disability and falls for him. He subsequently blanks her, she discovers she’s been used, but it’s too late. Things turn tragic.

Effie prowls around the stage, her eye contact with the audience maintained, spitting her ripe dialogue without a care for anyone and everyone. She draws you into her story, and her life, and you can’t take your eyes off her. You neither like nor dislike her, you’re just spellbound by her.

Though it’s based on the Greek character, Gary Owen’s monodrama is its own thing, as modern as its source is old. Rachel O’Riordan’s staging, with a few chairs, occasional blinding fluorescent light and a quiet brooding soundscape in the background makes sure Effie is in your face, and stays there.

I’m so glad I got another chance to see this again. Both the play and the performance seem to have grown and it had even more impact this time around. Do not miss this!!!