The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner

The Little Eggs Collective have set themselves a frightfully ambitious to-do list: one, devise and stage a theatrical reading of Coleridge’s epic poem, The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner, and two, stage the product in an engaging 45-minute production. We're overjoyed to have joined the Mariner and Little Eggs’ creative team on this journey, and to be able to report back that their ambition is oh so well-placed. The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner is a spellbinding success.

The story is of a ship at sea followed by an albatross. Bad weather sees winds slow and mists rise. The Ancient Mariner (just a mariner sans spooky proper name in the recount) shoots the albatross, believing that it was the cause of their problems. More and more ills befall the crew and it is believed The Ancient Mariner is suffering a curse, divine punishment, or maybe just self-inflicted, deluded guilt for the murder of the bird.

Director Julia Robertson characterises the play’s relevance as one of the retribution and sorrow one might feel faced with an environment on (or past) the verge of catastrophic collapse. How do we approach the retribution that might come, and how can we be properly penitent in response to the cataclysm? 

Little Eggs’ creation is functional elegance. The ensemble is impactful and innovative, ingenious even, and Nick Fry’s set, costumes, and lighting are illustrative of a designer with keen creative insight. The albatross’ flight is evoked by kazoos, and we really do see the bird flying between the crew. Strobe lighting and simple stage shapes leave the audience wide-eyed, as if at an early production of The Tempest or a first viewing of The Raft Of The Medusa. Oliver Shermacher’s musical collaboration aids in guiding you through the dream.

JackRabbit Theatre’s collaboration with Kings Cross Theatre promised something special and, with all three shows so far, they’ve lived up to it absolutely. Unmissable theatre from Little Eggs.