BEOWULF adapted by SEAMUS HEANEY at the TRON THEATRE

An epic Scandinavian Tale , told by German Anglo Saxon invading colonists in England and translated by a Nobel Prize winning Gaelic Poet in the 20th century makes for quite a remarkable transfiguration on the views and angels this all time classic tale has made throughout the ages.

Once a story of all conquering machismo superheroes cleaving a heroically brutal darwinian manifest destiny through less worldly wise tribes ripe to be wiped out for the betterment of the forces of civilisation.The Heaney translation bring this tale , which even in the last century was seen as one of the expansion of the fittest , into a story of self-sacrifice and helping neighbours out in order to repel overseas invasions and tyrannical occupations , keeping your local region safe from outside expansionist forces.

This review from The Herald newspaper captures the mood that this was not in any way a rehearsed reading from this brilliant cast who performed without notes in what was very much a full production with a full atmospheric set.

"While by no means explicitly anti-war, in the current climate one can't help but think of what happens when real-life monsters invade small and vulnerable countries. There too, it seems, it is the women who are left to tell the bloodiest of tales."

And this review from the public reviews website  captures the strip down quality of Heaneys translation which bring the words ,and not the fantastical images,of the original the centrepiece of the work and its connection to audiences of today.

"Alone, Seamus Heaney’s translation reads with an elegant fluency; paired with the Tron Theatre Company Beowulf leaps to life in a flourish of literary devices set against a darkened and brooding stage. The distinct voices of three of Scotland’s finest actresses collectively portray the iconic tale of a Danish community under siege by the god-cursed monster, Grendal. From across the sea comes the heroic Geat warrior Beowulf, determined to protect the Danes and the Heorot Hall built by their King, the sole location of refuge and solidarity in the midst of their devastated community."