'STINK FOOT' brings Troy and Treacle to London fringe

By J Sydney-Leigh

This play is an adaptation of Sophocles’ ‘Philoctetes’. I am routinely sceptical of modern adaptations of the classics; there is something jarring about seeing Romeo as the captain of a football team or Eliza Doolittle in tracky bottoms on an estate. I’m thrilled to say that STINK FOOT, adapted and directed by Jeff James, has debunked my jaded preconceptions.

The success of this adaptation lies largely in the fact that it appertains closely to Sophocles’ version. Character names and locations are the same as the original, as is the plot. Philoctetes has been left stranded on the island of Lemnos because his infected foot smelt so unpleasant to his fellow warriors. After 9 years of exile, a prophecy declares that Philoctetes’ magic bow is the answer to winning the Trojan War, and powerful Odysseus recruits young solider Neoptolomus to sail to Lemnos and bring the bow and its owner back to Troy. He must do so under false pretences. However, as Philoctetes bitterly hates Odysseus and the Greeks for leaving him there, the stakes are high. If Neoptolomus fails, the war will be lost.

The characters wear boxing shorts as a signifier that these are the ‘warriors’ of modern day. It is a fantastic costume choice that offers subtle relief from the subject of warfare. They could have worn combat uniform as a modern parallel [for instance], but the boxing clothes work visually to instead hone in on the intimate power struggles between the three characters. Odysseus acts as a sort of coach to Neoptolomus, and further evokes the theme of competition: ‘The man who wins is right no matter what else he’s done’.

Alex Lowde’s set is minimal and abstract, designed with symbolic intent. Philoctetes is covered head to toe in treacle from a large tub that serves as the symbolic bed of his pain, ruin and self-disgust. Sacks of treacle smash around him as the deception of Neoptomolus and Odysseus is revealed; an explosive display of his intensified shame and physical pain. In a climactic moment, he slips to defeat in the pool of lies and betrayal. The treacle is a bold choice, but it is wholly justified in its brilliant execution.

Daniel Millar plays a captivating Philoctetes. His physicalisation is flawless and presents a heart breaking vulnerability, whilst his bitter resilience and sardonic humour lends personality and character to his martyrdom. Joshua Miles gives an endearing performance as Neoptolomus, and his deadpan reactions contrast with Odysseus’s rage and Philotetes’s anguish to provide a lot of humour within the show. His deadpan gives the impression of apathy, but he finally offers emotion as the guilt of betraying Philoctetes ensues.

Rosie Thomson’s Odysseus carries great temper and determination. She manipulates the action by silently circling the stage and prompting Neoptolomus when he wavers, but offers welcome relief to her omnipotence through amusing scenes of frustration when things go wrong. Odysseus controls the lighting of the stage, which comprises solely of portable halogen work lights. I understand the God-like power that this gives to her character, but it was oftentimes distracting and seemingly pointless. The downstage lights were effective in creating large heroic shadows on the back wall, but fewer light changes would have been sufficient.

Sophocles’ ‘Philoctetes’ is essentially a great tragedy. Jeff James’ adaptation is tragicomic, rather than tragic; but for me, it is a confident and well-executed change of genre. It is essentially detangled prose for the masses, which may come across as unsophisticated to the avid Sophocles’ fan, but is accessible for an audience that you cannot expect to be well versed in Greek literature. James does a solid job in endearing us with humour whilst preserving Sophocles’ intended themes of heroism, victimhood and morality. The play carries a good pace, and the light and dark is well balanced in this thoroughly enjoyable and edgy adaptation.

★ ★ ★ ★

‘STINK FOOT’ by Jessica Campbell and Dem Productions

Sophocles’ Philoctetes: Adapted and directed by Jeff James

Producer - Jessica Campbell

Designer - Alex Lowde

Lighting Designer - Hansjorg Schmidt

Sound Designer - Jon McLeod

Photo - Bronwen Sharp

The Yard Theatre

18th Nov – 13th Dec | 8pm | £12.50/ £10 concessions

Get your tickets here: http://www.theyardtheatre.co.uk/event/stink-foot/2014-11-18/#booknow

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