A Song for Ella Gray reconstructs the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in the setting of the Ouseburn on Tyneside and in the atmosphere of the Northumberland beaches. It is above all a local story. Being part of a local audience, in a local theatre, there was so much more that I was able to learn from this production as well as all the others at the theatre. From his wonderfully poetic descriptions of the city to the familiar history of the coasts, it was entirely relatable. However, this is also a story that has the potential to transcend locality. Writer David Almond seamlessly combines a coming-of-age story with ancient mythology: the entrance to the Underworld lies beneath the Cluny, a popular bar within the Ouseburn, and the beaches of Bamburgh are reimagined as Greece. Instead of the ancient Greek god, Orpheus, who enchants the god of the underworld with his lyre and voice, Orpheus in A Song for Ella Gray is a brooding, mysterious Geordie boy with a golden voice and wide horizons. Replacing Eurydice is Ella Grey, a young girl who falls completely in love with Orpheus and follows him to the ends of the earth. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The core of A Song for Ella Gray is the story of an adolescent relationship, with all the powerful invitation and destructiveness that lies within it. This comedy is not “the simple story of a girl and a boy who fall in love”, the story goes further, delicately exploring a story of ambiguous sexuality. He almost, very almost does so, without feeling the need to explain, define or label, which was extremely refreshing to watch. Claire, the protagonist of the story, is Ella's childhood friend and speaks of the deep love that has always existed between them. Claire is the only character to appear live on stage and retraces the events of what happened between Ella and Orpheus. Amy Cameron as Claire is impressive, holding the audience's attention for the entire 90 minutes in a role that requires intensity, lightness, dynamism and placidity. Which was especially impressive given that the second act took place in complete darkness. Perhaps the only slightly lacking aspect was the sometimes somewhat rushed delivery. However, for the most part his performance was completely captivating. Yet this production is not a one-man show. Claire's role as the protagonist is supported by an ensemble made up of young local actors from the Northern Stage Young Company program of which I am a part. As the show progresses, this refrain entices and pushes Claire to pursue her story through the most painful efforts. Other times we assumed the roles of teachers, pupils, Cerberus and Hades of the Underworld. The Young Company was an integral part of the second act which relied entirely on auditory stimulation. Being a part of this show and this process has been extremely inspiring and close to my heart. Being in the audience and watching the full show was truly wonderful. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In many ways, this production has all the warmth and joy of community theater. In his post-show speech, Almond said the point of ancient stories is that they don't happen in some other place or country, but here and now among us. He absolutely achieved this goal. Watching the show brought back many memories, both joyful and painful, of growing up. Falling in love with the right people, the wrong ones, rejection, celebration, adulation – it's all here. This is especially poignant for a local audience with lo.