This original spectacle tells the story of a mythical being who brings new growth and change to a world in ruin. While the show borrows its structure from the myth of Perseus and Medusa, this playful and poetic performance flips and scrambles the telling into a celebration of the antihero, offering audiences a story of hope in the face of a shadowy future.

A Gorgon’s Tale features a variety of puppet characters, such as: a prophesying mouse, a two dimensional king, a guiding butterfly and a sneaky pigeon. This performance has almost no dialogue. In the absence of spoken word, the story is told through imagery and an original live score by award winning jazz pianist Behrooz Mihankhah.

Although this puppet show was not specifically designed for children, the sounds and images appeal to the senses of all ages. It runs for approximately 45 minutes.

Creator’s Note

The bikes rested in the grass and we imagined a little known story of the slain beast who made the hero great. Our beast was a gentle creature, and a vessel of friendship, who lived through encounter. Their saga is a journey of shifting perspectives and changing spaces. They are the gorgon.

“It matters what stories tell stories” - Donna Haraway

Artists

Laura Stinson: co-creator, designer, performer

Ian McFarlane: co-creator, designer, performer

Behrooz Mihankhah: musician, composer

Franziska Glen, Dorian Lang & Evan Medd: co-directors

Lily Falk: dramaturge

Acknowledgments

Jim Morrow, Janey Humphreys, Barra McNeil, Brian Smith, Rachel Lloyd, Dan Bray, Noella Murphy, Ship’s Company Theatre, Chester Playhouse, Mulgrave Road Theatre, Grace Jollymore Joyce Centre for the Arts, Halifax Fringe, Big Barn Little Farm