EDINBURGH 2026: Review: PENELOPE, Underbelly
Grace McLean stars in Alex Bechtel’s sharp, award-winning folk-pop chamber musical retelling of The Odyssey.
With Christopher Nolan’s upcoming Odyssey project keeping Homer on everyone's mind, Penelope arrives at Underbelly at a remarkably prescient moment. And really, who doesn’t love a good backstory? (Wearing my Wicked t-shirt when attending, I am certainly biased toward a compelling origin story). Conceived by composer Alex Bechtel and co-written with Eva Steinmetz and Grace McLean, this Richard Rodgers Award-winning folk-pop chamber musical gives epic myth a razor-sharp, modern framing.
The production opens on an absolute high. McLean commands the space with magnetic poise, landing deadpan comedic beats while remaining largely static onstage. Her early monologues detailing Penelope’s covert, competitive friendship with Helen of Troy are an absolute highlight, a witty, sharp backstory that begs even more stage time.
Midway through, the onstage three-piece ensemble transitions into a divine manifestation of Athena, smartly organized to double as a traditional Greek chorus reflecting divine perspective and public commentary. The instrumentalists deliver Bechtel’s lush, acoustic arrangements with exquisite precision, elevating the dramatic weight of the space. It is a gorgeous, beautifully orchestrated pivot.
However, after this turning point, the narrative momentum falters. As the plot strays into Penelope’s extended, circular waiting, the storytelling gets a bit lost and stays somewhat flat. Musically, what begins as dynamic variety starts to feel repetitive, missing the energetic spark of the initial half. Inserting additional backstory moments or varied dramatic beats into this second act would easily keep the momentum soaring.
Even so, the sheer craft on display makes this a small, wonderful hit. McLean’s commanding physical discipline, paired with a marvelous trio, makes this a genuinely charming hour at the Fringe.
Penelope plays at Underbelly until 24 August.
Prefer BroadwayWorld in Google Search?
Add us as a preferred source so our stories show up more often in Top Stories and Google’s AI answers — for you.
Get Broadway News on WhatsApp
Receive the latest updates, breaking news, and exclusive coverage from Broadway directly in WhatsApp.
Love Theater in Ireland? Join The Community!
Whether you've got past experience writing about theater or just starting, the BroadwayWorld Community offers a unique opportunity to become a champion for your local arts community, helping raise awareness of local offerings and adding another local voice to the conversation at a time arts coverage is shrinking in the press across the continent. Join us and become a pivotal part of the movement that celebrates and promotes the arts in the digital age.
Learn MoreSign up for all the news on the Fall season, discounts & more...
|
Stories from the Sea The Everyman, Cork (9/26-9/26) |
|
Heathers the Musical Bord Gais Energy Theatre (11/17-11/21) |
|
|
Give My Head Peace Vicar Street (4/04-4/04) |
|
Cats Bord Gais Energy Theatre (3/16-3/20) |
|
All My Friends are in Australia dlr Mill Theatre (10/08-10/09) |
|
|
Murder Trial Tonight V - Death in the Family 3Olympia Theatre (3/08-3/08) |
|
To Hell in a Handbag: The Secret Lives of Canon Chasuble & Miss Prismby The Linenhall Arts Centre (9/29-9/29) |
|
Steve Steinman''s Fuel Injected Magic: 50th Anniversary Concert 3Olympia Theatre (10/20-10/20) |
|
SOME OF OUR CHILDREN Quintessence Theatre (10/01-2/11) |
|
Disney Princess: the Concert 3Olympia Theatre (4/21-4/22) |
Reader Reviews
To post a comment, you must register and login.