ARTS. Have an idea for a story or review? Contact the editor at arts@theotherpress.ca Four men in a swimming pool A new take ona Greek classic Julia - Siedlanowska Sho Witter ore fire, more music, and more fear is what I wanted from director Stephen Drover’s Penelope. What I’ve come to expect is a kind of sexiness in his productions ever since I saw his production of DenmarK, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, for Douglas College in 2010. I had expectations for Penelope that were not exceeded. A comedic, modern adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey by Irish playwright Enda Walsh, Penelope stars four men, all vying for the hand of one woman, who are stuck in the bottom of an empty swimming pool. These men are the only survivors of 100 who fought for the love of Odysseus’s wife before Odysseus returned after 20-years and killed them. Upon entering the theatre, I was faced with the most memorable and outstanding part of Rumble Theatre’s latest production: the set. Designed by Drew Facey, the set offers multiple layers of discovery. We are at first distracted by a cluttered landscape of beer cans and liquor bottles in what looks to be the remnants of a party. oon the lights behind thick valls of glass reveal that we ire at the bottom of an emptied ‘wimming pool. The set contains exactly he same bachelor pad hints as the dialogue did. We discover the homemade bathroom walls made of cardboard, and the table made out of a door. The environment’s hidden gems are slowly revealed and defined throughout the show by our discoveries and the story’s development. The comedy is certainly spot on, though the element of fear is missing. In the moments where comedy turns black, when these men are fighting for love and for their lives, we are never truly afraid for them. The monologues are tight and well-navigated and the moments of comedy—especially in bits of action—are brilliantly crafted, though the experience remains largely intellectual. We are never truly in pain for these characters. In the pinnacle moment when the alpha male is betrayed and killed by his companions, we are unable to actually feel for him. The only true moment of whole-bodied pleasure is the very last. We are told of a dream that the men shared the night before about the combustion of their barbecue predicting their death at Odysseus’s return. The end is a spotlight on the face of Penelope, played by Lindsay Winch, as her husband returns and a prophecy is fulfilled with pyrotechnics. The combination creates goose bumps. Rumble Theatre is offering free childcare for the October 6 matinee show at 2 p.m. They are also offering free talkbacks with guest speakers on themes in the play on October 1, 6, and 8. Just bring your ticket stub from any of the shows. More info at rumble.org. Who: Rumble Theatre What: Penelope by Enda Walsh When: September 25 - October 13, 2 p.m./8 p.m. Where: The Cultch Historic Theatre, 1895 Venables St. Van Why: Because theatre is great! Rumble Theatres production of Penelope | Photo courtesy of Tirn Matheson A Marvel movie for the small screen IV spin-off has potential to be super bdo Burges, Contributor Yo can’t judge a TV series by its pilot episode, but you can see how a show may develop in future seasons—or whether it will even have another season. Marvel's Agents of S.H.LE.L.D. holds the potential to become a good show. With connections to the Marvel movie universe, an able cast and crew, and good aspects and the capacity to improve them, this series will develop into something extraordinary. If your idea of good characterization involves stock characters who only represent qualities and roles instead of complex human personalities, then this show succeeds on that part. The characters are mostly 6 clichéd and one-sided. There are the quiet agents with tortured pasts, the self-confident and brash hacker who provides the one-liners, and the geeky technicians. The lone standout character is Agent Coulson, a character from the Marvel movies. Compared to the other characters, he is more rounded his misguided plan. He also displays a sense of humour, which is surprising and strange because it differs from his character in the Marvel movies, who was the typical serious agent. Agents of S.H.1.E.L.D, has a mixed record when it comes to its design, visual, and special effects. Some of the effects in final scene with Coulson’s flying car are too animated to look credible. The series largely succeeds in creating an appearance that’s both comic book-inspired and similar to other television shows, doing so within a limited TV budget. Any hope for the show’s success lies in its story. While The series largely succeeds in creating an appearance thats both comic book-in- spired and similar to other television shows, doing so within a limited TV budget. and developed, and totally committed to achieving the tasks assigned to him and the organization’s aims. He displays a more human side, preferring non-lethal methods to attain goals, like when forcing characters to work together or convincing a super-individual to give up the show look real and blend well with the background. This is seen in the opening scenes of the super-individual’s rescue attempt and Agent Ward’s Paris mission, as well as in scenes that involve computers. But other effects look clumsy and out of place. The forensic drones scene and the the pilot’s storyline is pretty basic and common—stopping a catastrophe from happening—it also has features that can attract the audience to further episodes. Deeper themes like the meaning of being a superhero and doing good are discussed, especially with the super-individual’s attempts to become a hero and the necessity of an organization like S.H.LE.L.D. There are references to the Marvel movie universe and superhero lore that will excite fans. Marvel Studios’ inability to reacquire the rights to Spider-Man is even referenced in perhaps the funniest part of the episode: “With great power comes... a ton of weird crap that you are not prepared to deal with.” Also, there are mysteries that could keep the audience watching. The histories of the main characters and the identities of those behind the Centipede program are shadowy, and there seems to be uncertainty about Coulson’s stay in Tahiti—in particular that “it’s a magical place.” Agents of S.H.LE.L.D. brings the Marvel movie universe to the small screen where fans and new viewers can watch it every week instead of waiting for the next movie.