My Father Odysseus, Unicorn Theatre
Homer's epic reimagined for a modern audiences as part of The Unicorn Theatre's Greek Theatre
Jeffery Kissoon as Odysseus, in My Father Odysseus at the Unicorn Theatre
REVIEW: My Father Odysseus, The Unicorn Theatre, Review: Culture Whisper says ★★★★★
The Unicorn Theatre the UK's leading professional theatre for young audiences - and understandably so. Regularly choosing to perform original scripts with high production costs and unforeseen risks in the name of innovation, the theatre has a deserving reputation for inspiring and intelligent theatre for children.
As part of its 'Greek Season', writer Timberlake Wertenbaker remodelled Homer's The Odyssey for a culture-hungry youth, refashioning this famous Greek myth into the coming-of-age story told through the eyes of Odysseus' son, Telemachus.
Odysseus' heroic travels hang heavy around the neck of Telemachus who stands in the shadow of his father and struggles to feel like a man. No longer welcome at home, Telemachus goes off with the help of the Goddess Athena to find his father. But his own adventures are marred by a lack of purpose and the growing belief that the great Odysseys is dead. Meanwhile, the flawed and very much alive Odysseus, trapped by the goddess Calypso for ten long years, longs to return home, a shell of his former self.
The cast for My Father Odysseus' rescue the at times confusing script. Hilarious 'old man' acting by Jeffery Kissoon as Odysseus steals the show, second only to know-it-all Charlotte De Bruyne's Athena who has the audience on side from her first sarcastic put-down.
We recommend taking the children this Easter holidays, but only suggest parents brief their children on the story of the Odyssey on the way over to London Bridge so they have a chance to really appreciate what they're watching.
Expect sexual references and a very violent - albeit also funny - final scene where ketchup-blood is squirted at the audience.
Suitable for ages 11-16
The Unicorn Theatre the UK's leading professional theatre for young audiences - and understandably so. Regularly choosing to perform original scripts with high production costs and unforeseen risks in the name of innovation, the theatre has a deserving reputation for inspiring and intelligent theatre for children.
As part of its 'Greek Season', writer Timberlake Wertenbaker remodelled Homer's The Odyssey for a culture-hungry youth, refashioning this famous Greek myth into the coming-of-age story told through the eyes of Odysseus' son, Telemachus.
Odysseus' heroic travels hang heavy around the neck of Telemachus who stands in the shadow of his father and struggles to feel like a man. No longer welcome at home, Telemachus goes off with the help of the Goddess Athena to find his father. But his own adventures are marred by a lack of purpose and the growing belief that the great Odysseys is dead. Meanwhile, the flawed and very much alive Odysseus, trapped by the goddess Calypso for ten long years, longs to return home, a shell of his former self.
The cast for My Father Odysseus' rescue the at times confusing script. Hilarious 'old man' acting by Jeffery Kissoon as Odysseus steals the show, second only to know-it-all Charlotte De Bruyne's Athena who has the audience on side from her first sarcastic put-down.
We recommend taking the children this Easter holidays, but only suggest parents brief their children on the story of the Odyssey on the way over to London Bridge so they have a chance to really appreciate what they're watching.
Expect sexual references and a very violent - albeit also funny - final scene where ketchup-blood is squirted at the audience.
Suitable for ages 11-16
TRY CULTURE WHISPER
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| What | My Father Odysseus, Unicorn Theatre |
| Where | The Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley St, London, SE1 2HZ | MAP |
| Nearest tube | London Bridge (underground) |
| When |
13 Mar 16 – 10 Apr 16, Times vary |
| Price | £8-£18 |
| Website | Click here to book tickets via The Unicorn Theatre |