The Rosy Fingers Of Dawn
You may remember I went to see David Farr's debut production as Artistic Director of the Lyric, Julius Caesar, and it was rubbish. Last night I gave him a second chance and went to see The Odyssey. I'm glad I did.
Not that this was an flawless performance by any means. Farr was up to his old tricks of casting one absolutely terrible actor (the bloke playing Athena*). The direction and staging was also extremely similar to that which was failure in Julius Caesar. Thankfully it was a lot more successful this time round due in no small part to the rather good design. That said, cast members with DV cameras and live projection is rapidly becoming one of those modern theatre cliches I never want to see again.
The trials of Odyseus were very well done - the Cyclops was a particular favourite of most people there - but of course this couldn't just be a straight retelling of The Odyssey. No, it needs a frame device. This is that Odyseus is telling his tell whilst detained at Her Majesty's Pleasure as an illegal immigrant. Now the framing device is actually done very well too but why is neccessary? And why does everything always have to be about asylum seekers? You could argue the mythic weight of the tale gives the predicament of the immigrant added resonance but then you could argue a lot of things.
As I said though, whilst I begrudge the idea, I can't fault the execution. The cast - all playing multiple roles, except the bloke playing Odyseus - handle the transitions between ancient Greece and modern Britain with aplomb. All in all worth a look.
One of the next things coming up at the Lyric is The Wolves In The Walls. I'm going on 12th April if anyone wants to come (that's the first night for those who have issues about such things.) I might even have a chance to talk to you this time. Note: internet stalkers, this does not apply to you.
* They like to keep cast details very close to their chest for some reason so without the programme I'm buggered if I know who anyone was.
Not that this was an flawless performance by any means. Farr was up to his old tricks of casting one absolutely terrible actor (the bloke playing Athena*). The direction and staging was also extremely similar to that which was failure in Julius Caesar. Thankfully it was a lot more successful this time round due in no small part to the rather good design. That said, cast members with DV cameras and live projection is rapidly becoming one of those modern theatre cliches I never want to see again.
The trials of Odyseus were very well done - the Cyclops was a particular favourite of most people there - but of course this couldn't just be a straight retelling of The Odyssey. No, it needs a frame device. This is that Odyseus is telling his tell whilst detained at Her Majesty's Pleasure as an illegal immigrant. Now the framing device is actually done very well too but why is neccessary? And why does everything always have to be about asylum seekers? You could argue the mythic weight of the tale gives the predicament of the immigrant added resonance but then you could argue a lot of things.
As I said though, whilst I begrudge the idea, I can't fault the execution. The cast - all playing multiple roles, except the bloke playing Odyseus - handle the transitions between ancient Greece and modern Britain with aplomb. All in all worth a look.
One of the next things coming up at the Lyric is The Wolves In The Walls. I'm going on 12th April if anyone wants to come (that's the first night for those who have issues about such things.) I might even have a chance to talk to you this time. Note: internet stalkers, this does not apply to you.
* They like to keep cast details very close to their chest for some reason so without the programme I'm buggered if I know who anyone was.