In her 5/5 review for this show last May, our reviewer described Psyche & Eros as “incredibly skilled and engaging storytelling”. She added: “Initially, I doubted whether the two performers would be able to sustain the audience’s attention for two hours. But they more than proved me wrong. It was simply excellent!” Such was our reviewer’s passion for this innovative show, that when we were asked by The Argus to select the one show that the ThreeWeeks Editors’ thought particularly deserved one of their Argus Angel awards, it didn’t take much debate before we decided on this one. With another performance of it appearing in the Fringe this year, we spoke to one of the two performers, Stella Kassimati, to find out more.

ThreeWeeks: What kind of show is Psyche & Eros?

Stella Kassimati: It’s a storytelling performance told by Madeleine Grove and myself, with music by Robin Jeffrey (who plays lute, louto, percussion and yayli tambour) and singing by Alessandra Testai.

TW: What is the story about?

SK: Psyche & Eros is the archetypal love story on which many fairy tales are based, so much so it has inspired writers, poets, artists and philosophers for thousands of years. It is a tale of trials and transformation about the god of love, no less, and Psyche, an unhappy princess. The ultimate love story, the union of soul and love through a journey of initiation into consciousness; what we go through to reach understanding and equality.

TW: How did you get into storytelling? How does it differ from simply reading out a story?

SK: My son was so enchanted during a storytelling performance that I felt I had to learn to create this magic, so I went to the School of Storytelling at Emerson College. To tell a story you have to make it your own. You have to see it as if you were watching a DVD, only you’re in it. You not only see and hear but you smell, feel and taste the story. That’s the start. The storyteller’s understanding of the story is what creates the magic. It takes a lot of work that is not necessarily done when you sit and read a story. Also while reading you have little or no eye contact with the listener. You are behind the book and are therefore no longer directly connected to the audience.

TW: How did you meet and what made you get the show together?

SK: Madeleine and I met at Emerson College. We both love Greek myths and so we decided to work together on Psyche & Eros. As our work progressed we thought what was needed to enhance this wonderful story was sumptuous music. As it happens in story, so it happens in life. Robin and Alessandra joined us and brought in the music, from Greek traditional to Purcell and Matthew Locke. The result is artistic excellence; so much so we were awarded with the Argus Angel!

TW: Have you taken the show on tour? Do you plan to keep performing it? Do you have other projects in the pipeline?

SK: We have not taken the show on tour. It is very difficult to tour a storytelling performance, as there are very few organised venues. We will keep performing it as long as we have bookings. Madeleine and I are working on our new story: Medea. We hope it will be ready for next year’s festival. I chair the international association Friends of Amari and I have been busy organising events and summer storytelling weeks in my small village, Amari, in Crete.

TW: Will you be seeing other shows during the festival, and if so, what would you recommend?

SK: We’ll be seeing many shows. As a storyteller I highly recommend Hugh Lupton and Daniel Morden’s performance Icarus. More Greek myths!

Psyche & Eros, The Westgate Chapel, 6 May, 7.30pm, £7.50, fpp 44.

For more information about workshops run by Stella and Madeline check www.madeleinegrove.com and www.friends-of-amari.org

Psyche & Eros was awarded a ThreeWeeks Editor nominated Argus Angel at the Brighton Festival 2007