Life, Death, Love and War

There is a Homeric theme running through Vanessa Redgrave’s festival choices. This captivating discussion provided the audience with a fascinating and at some points rather moving account of Homer’s ‘Iliad’ and important themes therein. Charlotte Higgins’ delightful and brief rendition of the tale was succeeded by discussions with Matthew Fox and Tim Witmarsh of the life affirming vigour of the text and its fascination with the death of men (the theme Alice Olswald explores in her poem Memorial). The matter of love, love between men, men and women, parents and children was investigated; and of course the blood lust love of war which we also lament, even the gods at points. Audience questions were amazing; my favourite asked whether the writing of the text had destroyed the story which would originally have been transmitted orally. The panel thought not; oral storytellers may disagree… Another Homer-inspired artwork to look out for in the festival is Tippet’s King Priam.

Pavilion Theatre, Brighton Dome, 6 May 2012

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