Soulpepper's Medusa brings Greek mythology inside your head with audio immersion

Soulpepper Theatre is partnering with Toronto's immersive theatre company Outside The March to stage Medusa, a contemporary retelling of the Greek myth that places audiences directly inside the title character's consciousness.

Using headphones, spectators hear Medusa's inner thoughts and the voices of her serpents as the story unfolds. The play, written by Erin Shields, challenges long-held perceptions of the mythological figure, exploring themes of female rage, power, and transformation through an emotionally complex lens.

"I've always been both terrified and exhilarated at the thought of Medusa," Shields says. "She lives a solitary life in a cave and yet she is hunted by men because her very existence threatens the status quo. This play is an exploration of the cost of swallowing the rage and the cost of setting it free."

Director Mitchell Cushman designed the audio experience to offer audiences playful, intimate access into Medusa's inner life. Shields wanted to personify Medusa's snakes, an idea realized through sound design. "It is an exciting approach to immersive theatre making that I think will be fun and compelling for the audience," Cushman says.

Medusa runs through July 12 at Soulpepper Theatre, running alongside the Toronto Fringe Festival. Tickets start at $48 and can be purchased on Soulpepper's website.