REVIEW: Penelope (Edinburgh Fringe Festival)

Star rating: ★★★★

From the moment you walk into the venue, you are welcomed into a dark setting facing a piano, drums, and cello. In the middle, we were met by Grace McLean, already in character as Penelope. She wears a white sash dress that gives off the feel of a Greek goddess—a simple touch that instantly sets the right mood and leaves you eager for what’s coming.

Throughout the story, we experience a full range of emotions: anger, happiness, sadness, all blending beautiful storytelling with folk music written by Alex Bechtel, as Penelope remains deeply lost in her love and longing for her husband, Odysseus.

Furthermore, Grace was joined by three musicians who were involved in parts of the show, stepping in to play the Goddess Athena, who invites Penelope to make a wish. They have to speak cues and deliver lines in unison at the exact same time. It’s the kind of thing that could easily be a total flop if the timing was off, but they pull it off amazingly well. Combined with her stunning vocals and rich folk-pop harmonies, the music and acting feel completely connected. While singing and telling her story, the emotions Grace uses are so delicate and flawless.

Sometimes the story was hard to follow because the songs came too close together, which made it easy to miss the plot. Beyond knowing that Penelope is sad and desperately missing her husband, it’s tricky to track where the story is actually going. There are moments where she suddenly starts screaming, and without a clear reason for why it's happening, it felt a little jarring in the room.

Even if the plot gets a bit lost along the way, the music and the energy between the performers make up for it. Between Grace’s incredible voice and how tight the band is, it’s still a really special, atmospheric show to catch at the Fringe.

Penelope is playing until 30th August as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival at Belly Button at Underbelly, Cowgate