Iphigenia in Splott cover art

Iphigenia in Splott

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Iphigenia in Splott

By: Gary Owen
Narrated by: Sophie Melville
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About this listen

Written By: Gary Owen

Directed By: Rachel O’Riordan

Performed by: Sophie Melville

Drunk, dazed, disoriented, and stumbling down Clifton Street at 11:30 a.m., Effie is the kind of girl you’d likely avoid eye contact with while silently labeling a drifter or a delinquent. You’d probably pass judgment, assuming you know her - but you don’t know the half of it. As Effie’s life spirals through a mess of excess, drama, and addiction plaguing her at every turn, she has nothing to look forward to but a hangover worse than death itself each morning. Until one night gives her the chance to become something more.

In this powerful new adaptation of the enduring Greek myth of the ill-fated Iphigenia, playwright Gary Owen, director Rachel O’Riordan, and actress Sophie Melville (who received a Drama Desk nomination for her stunning, furious solo performance) construct a modern day probe into the ostracized corners of society—and those who live there, victims of our own negligence. A New York Times Critic’s Pick that received both the James Tait Black Award and UK Theatre Award for Best New Play, Iphigenia in Splott was first produced by Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, UK. The Stage raves, "…Rachel O’Riordan captures the play’s many tonal changes in her production, which is fluid and textured."

©2019 Gary Owen (P)2019 AO Media LLC
Drama & Plays European World Literature Thought-Provoking Inspiring

Winner of UK Theatre Awards Best New Play, 2017
Winner of James Tait Black Award for Best New Play, 2017
Nominated for Drama Desk Outstanding Solo Performance, 2018
New York Times Critic’s Pick


Iphigenia was Agamemnon’s daughter, sacrificed by her father to ensure a fair wind to Troy and to further the ambitions of men. But who are the Iphigenias of today, being sacrificed in the pursuit of growth and profit? Seeing the heart torn out of your community and services cut is like having your tongue put out. -The Guardian

Our favorite moments from Iphigenia in Splott

Ladies and gents, I’ve come to collect.
I see him seeing me.
As on my own as I can be.
I remember shouting like that.
  • Iphigenia in Splott
  • Ladies and gents, I’ve come to collect.
  • Iphigenia in Splott
  • I see him seeing me.
  • Iphigenia in Splott
  • As on my own as I can be.
  • Iphigenia in Splott
  • I remember shouting like that.

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Critic reviews

"Rachel O’Riordan captures the play’s many tonal changes in her production, which is fluid and textured." (The Stage)

Sophie Melville introduces Iphigenia in Splott

Take a look behind the scenes of the recording and hear more about the play
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An amazing story and performance. So glad I went back to it after deciding it wasn’t for me in the first ten minutes. Having nothing better to do, I listened to the interviews and decided to give it another go. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made!

One of the best things I have ever listened to

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I listened to the whole play in one go even after getting home in the middle of the night from a long haul flight. It was utterly gripping. I’m from Wales and the feel of Effie, her Nan, her boyfriend was perfection - she reminded me of people I knew. The story is wonderful and the interviews with playwright and actress also added to the overall enjoyment of the piece.

Amazing, could not stop listening

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A great, dramatic and real monologue about sacrifice. Amazing. So powerful to listen to and would recommend every time.

Emotional

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Living near Cardiff I was familiar with the places in this performance, the accent and narration was spot on!
The language was hard to hear at times but relevant to the character portrayed.
The message in this story was not what I expected but a valid point that needed to be made!
Thought provoking and enjoyable!

Thought provoking

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I approached this cautiously given the existing reviews, but ended up really enjoying it! True, Effie's pressured speech takes a bit of getting used to, but there was something very compelling about the urgency and intensity of it all. Well worth a couple of hours of your time.

Surprisingly enjoyable

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