Q Artistry and Half-Black Productions present a powerhouse experience with Grendel, a play based on the novel by John Gardner. Adapted by Joanna Winston, the play is about the monster Grendel from the ancient tale of Beowulf, and begs the question: who exactly is the monster?
Told from the point of view of Grendel, the outcast and “monster” from the epic Old English poem Beowulf, the play explores the making of Grendel from a childhood raised in a cave with his silent mother. At one point he emerges from the shelter, only to be trapped in a tree, and is discovered by Danes who try to help him. However, he misunderstands —and they misunderstand — and a fight ensues. Grendel’s mother rescues her son, who curses the men and vows revenge.
Despite his fear and anger toward the Danes and their leader Hrothgar, he watches them from a distance, at turns admiring and disdaining them as he peers into their meadhall. He hears the music and words of the Shaper, a poet and musician, and reacts violently to the heroic stories the Shaper tells. Fleeing, Grendel runs back to the cave, and finds himself encountering a dragon guarding a treasure trove. The dragon speaks to him of the foolishness of humans, and how he, the “monster” is responsible for shaping their reality. Grendel rejects the dragon’s wisdom, and leaves the cave to listen more to the Shaper in the meadhall, but is spotted by guards, and he flees again. This time, a young wanna-be hero Unferth follows, and attempts to kill Grendel, but the monster mocks him, knocking him unconscious and dragging him back to his people.
The war between Grendel and Hrothgar’s people continues, with Grendel occasionally attacking the meadhall and terrorizing the Danes. Afraid that a rival group, the Helmings, lead by Hygmod, will see him as weak, Hrothgar takes the offensive and is on the verge of attacking their stronghold when Hygmod offers his beloved sister Wealtheow to the Dane. The marriage joins the rivals, but enrages Grendel, who sees her beauty exploited. He takes her hostage, but releases her when he realizes the futility of the act.
Grendel watches from a careful distance the politics and religious evolution of the Danes, trying to understand the duality of the humans who both repel and fascinate him. He witnesses the death of the Shaper, and a sense of foreboding comes over him. He sees the Geats come ashore and sees Beowulf, who frightens him. He attacks as the Geats sleep in Hrothgar’s mead hall, and Beowulf defeats him.
Staged as if the entire space in the Lodge is a meadhall, Grendel packs an enormous emotional punch as the audience bears witness to Grendel’s rage and curiosity in equal turns. Jonah Winston (twin brother of the playwright Joanna) brilliantly explores the depth of Grendel’s rage and his tenderness, creating a sympathetic character that isn’t a caricature. Tom Cardwell as Unferth the “hero” (among other roles), Leslie Chaney as Wealthrow, Pat Mullen, Ben Schuetz, Dan Flahive, and Jaddy Ciucci are equally outstanding in this ambitious and emotionally complex drama.
Grendel is a robust and frank examination of a misunderstood monster of the literary past. Audiences should be prepared for some adult language and situations (PG13), and for intense and thought-provoking discussions after the play. Performances continue through Feb, 15 on Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are regular admission $17, senior (55+) $15, student (17 and younger) $15. Advance tickets are recommended; shows sell out fast. Visit www.qartistry.org or call 317-677-5317.
