Theatre Review: Elektra

Experimental and unconventional theatre is rare in the prime spots of the West End. There's a sea of jukebox musicals, film adaptations, standard Shakespeare, and Worthy Plays. Theatreland runs on bums-on-seats - doesn't matter what the critics say as long and punters keep paying outrageous prices for cramped stalls in dilapidated venues.

Elektra is uncompromising.

It is the sort of play the average customer might have heard of in passing, but hasn't made a significant dent in modern consciousness. The name "Sophocles" doesn't pack them in the same way Pemberton and Shearsmith does.

Elektra doesn't give a shit.

You want stars? Here's Brie Larson. Not enough? Here's Stockard Channing! Are we going to let them act? Fuck you. You're going to listen to monotone recital of translated Greek poetry and be grateful.

Elektra scorns your plebeian desire for form, function, and fun.

Offset against the staccato delivery of the stars is the mellifluous sounds of a divine Chorus. Close harmonies and exposition in undulating tones with unwavering commitment. You could listen to them for hours. Then, when they sing long stretches, you realise that you are being tortured with their beauty.

Elektra refuses.

The set is Spartan. Perhaps that's a hate-crime against the Ancient Greeks? There is no set. The theatre stripped back to the bricks (which is now a bit of a West End trope), a revolve keeps the actors on their toes (again, like plenty of other productions), and the distorted wails of the star are propelled through effect-pedals until they are unrecognisable.

Elektra burns it all to the ground.

Down the road is Stranger Things. Its vapid tale packs them in - drawn like moths to the flame of name-recognition. Elektra repels. It deliberately and wonderfully squanders its star power in order to force you to engage with the horrors of the text.

Elektra is mad and maddening.

Is it any good? Yes. In the way that radical student theatre is often good. It plays with convention. Tries something different and uncomfortable. It says "what if we deliberately did the wrong thing just to see what happens?" Is it enjoyable? No, but I don't think it is meant to be. It is an earworm - and the bar afterwards was full of people singing the horrifying motif of Elektra.

Elektra provokes.