Wright & Grainger – Orpheus

There are performances that you witness, and then there are those rare performances that you truly experience. Wright & Grainger’s Orpheus at the Adelaide Fringe in the stunning Mortlock Chamber Library of the State Theatre was unequivocally the latter. What I witnessed was, in the truest sense, ‘next level’ performance art. It was a mesmeric journey to Hades and back that refused to release you from its grip until long after you had left the performance space – and even then, it remained deep within you – a reminder of the brilliance of this duo.

At its heart, Wright & Grainger’s Orpheus is the ancient Greek myth stunningly reimagined. Dave, an ordinary man stuck in the grey sameness of life, falls headlong in love with Eurydice, a tree nymph who brings colour and joy into his world only for fate to snatch her away, plunging him into grief so profound that love itself becomes a perilous odyssey. Wright & Grainger’s telling is fresh and immediate, threading the modern life settings and pop music of dive bars, jukeboxes and even Bruce Springsteen into the heart of this timeless story of passion, loss, and courage.

From the first moment, when the lights bathed the ancient library in warm hues that seemed to animate the unseen, you felt the spell draw you in. The lighting design was beautiful, it conjured Eurydice’s spectrum in full glory, only to strip it away and leave you heartbroken in the stark greys of her absence. This visual storytelling was not merely background; it was a character in its own right, gently guiding the audience, evoking an emotive response the swept us from the light to the shadows and back again.

Wright & Grainger are the ultimate storytellers. Alexander Wright’s spoken-word performance is a tapestry of poetic rhythm and emotional immediacy, every inflection calibrated to pull you deeper into the myth. Phil Grainger’s vocals were spellbinding, at times soaring and at other times hauntingly minimal. Complemented throughout by his beautiful guitar strums, and an incredible string quartet, this musical accompaniment provided the soul of the piece, a companion soundscape that elevated each twist of the narrative. Together, they all moved with the grace of dancers, their synergy absolute, telling this epic love story not just with words and music, but with presence and heart.

I have seen the spoken word performed many times, but never like this. So often the term sublime feels overused, but here it feels necessary. In the atmospheric setting of the Mortlock Chamber where history, books and mythology seemed to converge, every moment was stunning; from the hush of a poignant pause to the swell of Grainger’s voice weaving and connecting the spoken lines…simply put, it was absolutely superb storytelling.

If you miss this, you will have missed not just a show, but an experience of a lifetime. Wright & Grainger have crafted something genuinely magical: evocative, elegant and emotive, completely unforgettable. The highest praise must go to this masterful duo.

Peta Bojanic

Click here to read more Adelaide Fringe reviews