Anatomy of a Monster
“Under the seams runs the pain,” writes Anne Carson in Autobiography of Red, which reimagines Medusa’s grandson Geryon as a young outcast striving to find his place in the world. More than a quarter century earlier, John Gardner similarly explored the psychology of Grendel, a conflicted giant who becomes Beowulf’s nemesis even as he admires his heroism. In each case, the author peels back the mask of the monster, striving for deeper understanding of the archetype. This is the worthy endeavor undertaken by We Players in HeroMonster. Known for creating site-specific theater in historically rich environments such as Alcatraz, Land’s End, and Fort Point, the troupe invites the audience to share food in a simple church, which is usually closed to the public, standing in for the battlefront of Beowulf’s family longhouse. Together, the audience will uncover the light and dark that lurk in the hearts of all men. This begins a multi-year, three-part public exploration of the Anglo-Saxon epic, which will later include collaborations with dancers from inkBoat and musicians from Rova Saxophone Quartet.
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