Gilgamesh: Dramatised Scene

Gilgamesh Main Page | Extract from Gilgamesh

British Museum. (Click to enlarge)

A Personal Reminiscence   A theme was chosen for one of Octave’s events; The Epic of Gilgamesh.  Some of us were asked to prepare and perform a scene from the poem; Gilgamesh’s twelve league journey through the unlit mountains of Mashu following the death of his friend, Enkidu.   We began by visiting the British  Museum to see and draw Sumerian and Assyria figures; to sense and feel the spirit of that time and place.

A mask of Gilgamesh was made from papier-mâché formed around a simple plastic face-mask. The beard was made from knitted red and black rug-wool.

"Having immersed myself in the project for several months I found the denouement intense.  My head was covered and I was lead to my position and then knelt to wait. The room was hot and stuffy with the smell of wax from the candles; my face began to sweat; it was hard to breath; my joints began to ache; I felt claustrophobic; but had a determination to keep absolutely still and endure it.

The time came to start. I stood up slowly; the material was removed from my head and the presentation began. I felt quite isolated and very focused on what I had to do. Listening closely to the familiar words spoken by the narrator, and attempting to enact the movements with as much presence as I could, the story unfolded and the walk through the mountain began.

Soft drum-taps marked my steps, stopping as I turned to look back. The light, dim as the journey began, went out and there was only the light of some candles in the room. My steps and posture became heavier. At the end of the eighth league I drew breath and a cry came from deep down in my body. After nine leagues the soft sound of a single fluttering note on the flute heralded the north wind and I was aware through the eye-holes of the mask of the light growing in front of me until I emerged from the mountain.

I felt a huge sense of relief and gratitude at the completion of the presentation."

Octave

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