The Odyssey: Missing Presumed Dead

This new production from English Touring Theatre certainly takes Homer’s epic poem and brings it to life. An excellent cast make easy the complexities of the story and excellent design clarifies the mythological content – to an extent. The introduction of a parallel contemporary plot is cunning and witty, packed with current references and jokes as well as cutting comments on modern global politics, none less than the current refugee crisis.
And if this all sounds like I did not enjoy the play then maybe I felt that it was too rich a banquet or maybe just one course too many. The first half rattled along, excellent staging, great characterisations and plot. In the second things started to drag so that by the end I felt, okay, I get it, it’s time to draw this to a close. A pity as on the whole I enjoyed the evening.
Theatre Royal Brighton
27 October
Andrew Kay
4 stars