Photo by Kate Smith of Mythos Lens

Arachne

by Britt Anderson

Directed by Alex Mallory

A one-person dramatic comedy about friendship, fiber arts, and mythological revenge.

Athena (Goddess of Justice and Handicrafts) launches into a public reading of her long-awaited memoir, until a mysterious force curses her to reveal the WHOLE truth about her past, including the real story about her and Arachne (the first spider). If she doesn’t, she’ll be coughing up webs for the rest of her immortal life. Using multiple characters, music, audience interaction and lots of handmade webs, Britt Anderson weaves a heartfelt, provoking, relevant tale about who gets to spin the story and who gets tangled in its consequences.

This show is suitable for 16+ as it contains sensitive topics, cursing, and mild body horror.

Praise for Arachne

"Britt Anderson is one to watch, and this piece confirms she can hold a room with guts and imagination."

-FringeReview.com, Recommended Show, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

"....the physicality of Athena and Arachne in particular makes Anderson’s performance masterful." ****

-Theatre Weekly, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

"Arachne is a delightful romp through mythology, with the perfect balance of fantasy, clever humour, and modern interjections to keep its audience hooked from start to finish." ****

-Theatre Weekly, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

"Britt Anderson is a feminine force! Reminded me of Lily Tomlin in her heyday. Really kept the audience engaged with her physical comedy and light audience participation. Excited to see what she writes next!"

-Edinburgh Fringe Audience Review

"I want to thank you both for the delicate ways you held these truths of womanhood, and for the more jagged ways you uncovered what we often try to bury. Your dynamic performance that asks what it means to be a friend, what it means to be justified, and what it really means to be honest, will live on in me."

-Xora Odelle (playwright)
Philadelphia Fringe Postcards

"Anderson commands the stage as a solo performer, slipping into a cast of mythological figures with ease and wit. ...Her physical choices are often silly but smart, and she builds character detail through shifts in body and voice that are precise and compelling. Her transitions feel seamless, especially in emotionally driven moments where humour turns to heartache."

-FringeReview.com

(Recommended Show, Edinburgh Festival Fringe)

"Arachne is a beautiful work of the messiness of people (even goddesses). The writing was superb, the acting was grounded and motivated. I will be thinking about this play for a very long time."

-Borderlight Fringe Audience Review

"A Tour de force! Incredible acting and gorgeous storytelling. So fun, highly interactive, a really really impressive piece of solo performance."

-Edinburgh Fringe Audience Review