Eurydice
By Sarah Ruhl

Eurydice
Written by Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Mollie Savage and Ben Holman

WED 11–SAT 14 SEP 2024, 8PM
Relaxed Performance THU 12 SEP
Live at Cork Arts Theatre

Mollie Savage and Ben Holman are proud to present Eurydice as part of CATALYST, a collaboration between The Everyman and Cork Arts Theatre, supported by Cork City Council Arts Office.  

Orpheus was the greatest musician in the world. Eurydice was his wife. She died on their wedding day and was sent to the Underworld. Overcome by grief, Orpheus vowed to bring his wife back to life. He journeyed into the Underworld where the beauty of his music softened the heart of the devil. The devil allowed him to make his way back to the surface with Eurydice. There was one condition: Orpheus could not look at her until they reached the living world. As they were about to emerge, Orpheus – unable to resist – looked back. Thus, Eurydice was lost to him forever.

This is the story that we’ve been told, of Orpheus’ heroism and love, and of Eurydice’s victimhood. Writer Sarah Ruhl invites us to revisit this classic myth with a different lens. We accompany Eurydice on her journey to the bizarre realm of the Underworld. Whilst there, she rediscovers her personal identity and is ultimately changed by the experience. This tragic myth offers new layers of emotional complexity for interpretation and Ruhl’s writing imbues the story with infectious humour.

Following the success of its run at The Stack Theatre in April, Mollie Savage and Ben Holman are now bringing the magic of Eurydice to Cork Arts Theatre. This inventive production leans into the magical realism and inherent theatricality of the text through its design and movement elements, supported by a score of original music by local artists. The cast is entirely comprised of graduates and current students of the BA in Theatre and Drama Studies at MTU’s Cork School of Music, who are brimming with talent at the very beginning of their careers.

This play will have a relaxed performance on the second night, Thursday 12 September.  For more information, please contact eurydicerelaxedperformance@gmail.com.