How Goldfrapp put Greek tragedy Medea to music

It is Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory's first foray into writing music for a play

Pop duo Goldfrapp have turned their talents to writing the music for the National Theatre's new production of the Greek tragedy Medea.

Helen McCrory stars as Euripides' tragic heroine in the new version of the play written by Ben Power and directed by Carrie Cracknell.

It is the first time that Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory have created the music for a stage play, although Gregory has previously written an opera and scored a silent movie.

Medea, which opened on Monday night, features a live band of five musicians who play on stage as the drama unfolds.

Gregory told the BBC News website about the challenges of making the soundtrack for an Ancient Greek classic.

How different has it been writing for the theatre?

It's a malleable thing that keeps slipping out of your grasp. You're trying to write music for something that's evolving in front of you. The actors are improvising and the next day they've changed what they're doing.

Something you've done gets completely cut - that's happened a few times - or it comes back and is used in a place it wasn't designed for. I love that idea.

Danny Sapani (centre) as Jason with the Chorus in Medea

How did you get involved?

Carrie Cracknell asked if we'd be interested. She was very clear about what she wanted.

We had this period where we threw sound moods at each other. We pulled some things out of YouTube that we all listened to.

We were thinking about that sort of filmic genre of horror music but that has disappeared completely now. It was just something to bounce off each other.

What was the challenge of writing for a dancing chorus in a Greek tragedy?

There's text and and dancing and music and singing which all have to co-exist. It really brings to life that element of the play which can be quite static and monolithic.

The scenes between the leading characters are so wonderfully constructed - they are battles of logic and wit. You need a bit of a release from that in between these confrontations and that's what these interludes provide.

Reviews round-up: Medea

Helen McCrory's performance as Euripides' tragic heroine has received glowing reviews

• "Helen McCrory, gives the performance of her career as Medea. She paces the stage like a caged and goaded animal, desperately dragging on roll-up cigarettes, her hair wild, her intentions murderous." Charles Spencer, The Telegraph

• "Helen McCrory is simply stunning in the title role. A tiny, feminine figure with a deep, resonant voice and a commanding presence, McCrory explores every nuance of a character famous for committing the most unforgivable crime in literature: The murder of her own children. She is down-to-earth (she enters cleaning her teeth) but powerful, manipulative, broken-hearted, loving and relentless." Heather Neill, The Arts Desk

• "McCrory's fiercely brilliant central performance makes Ben Power's threatening, thought-provoking Medea a must-see." Charlotte Valori, TheatreCat

• "The virtue of the production and Ben Power's new version is that they avoid quasi-operatic grandeur to present us with a recognisable human being who is alive with contradictions." Michael Billington, The Guardian

• "The 13 members of the chorus are a creeping, insidious presence throughout. Their gestures articulate Medea's connection to a dark realm of irrational impulses as her drama reaches its horrifying peak." Henry Hitchings, The Standard

How much were you at rehearsals?

For the six weeks of rehearsals we were there for more than half the time.

While scenes were being rehearsed with actors we would be trying things out with the singers.

We really have had the time and space to be very controlled about what we want.

It's been amazing for me to sit and watch the actors - after each rehearsal there's a round table where they discuss forensically what happens in each scene.

It's like a mosaic putting all that together. Watching that from the outside has been incredible.

How did you manage that with Glastonbury and a European tour?

Alison and I have been able to split our roles and it's only been this last week that Alison's had to go off and do some gigs. This week's been more about technical things.

Jason (Danny Sapani) and Kreusa (Clemmie Sveaas) dance at their wedding

How have you and Alison had to change your writing style?

I would say it was business as usual. We improvised together but we had a script, so we knew where we needed things.

We've gone for simplicity. Hopefully the music will be just part of the experience - it'll wash over you.

What will Goldfrapp fans make of it?

I hope they won't be thinking about the music at all and that they will be bowled over by Carrie's production.

Helen McCrory is incredible. We've been mesmerised by her for six weeks. She's so focused. It's been an eye-opener to see how committed all of the actors are.

I'm hoping Goldfrapp fans will not remember that's what they are. They will be Medea fans.

Medea is on at the National Theatre until 4 September. A National Theatre Live broadcast to cinemas is on 4 September.