Macnas hero Gilgamesh resumes epic journey

Like so many organisations and individuals who had big plans for 2020, Macnas Theatre Company had to regroup in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The company, famed for its street spectacles, had been commissioned by Galway 2020 to create a new interpretation of the world’s oldest story, the Legend of Gilgamesh, for Galway’s year as European Capital of Culture.

An amalgamation of digital and live events, this was due to kick off in April with a series of teasers, online and on the streets of Galway, followed by a parade in city in June and a live show at the Black Box Theatre in November, as well as other events throughout the county. All gone.

But not quite, because Macnas is back with a revised version of Gilgamesh,  the world’s earliest hero’s journey.

The production is drawn from a legend that originated in Mesopotamia, Western Asia, and tells the tale of a young king, the Gilgamesh of the title, who embarks on a quest to seek answers to fundamental questions about life.

Gilgamesh is two- thirds god, one-third human and when he angers the gods, they dispatch a wild man, Enkidu, to challenge him. Finally, Gilgamesh has met his match.

The two undertake a journey during which Gilgamesh encounters creatures, kings and gods in this epic work that explores timeless themes of relationships, power, corruption, loneliness, friendship, loss, love, revenge, mortality and death, according to the Artistic Director of Macnas Noeline Kavanagh, who’s directing this production.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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