Homer's Odyssey is a big story with so many twists and turns and endless analogies and metaphors the idea that this could be made into a one man show is mind-boggling. But it has, and quite remarkable it is too.
The theatre company Theatre Ad Infinitum, with the actor George Mann, return with this wonderful story and through amazing mime, movement and inventive use of gesture, voice and vocalisations captures the fate that the wine dark sea throws at Ulysses.
The rich and creative approach of this actor and his director; Nir Paldi has led to the literal flooding of the stage with everything from wild ocean storms, cyclops, Gods, temptresses, castles and fortresses. It's all there.
There's no soundtrack emanating from a digital recording, but the actor provides both a narrative, the dialogue and the sound effects. It's not only clever, it's clear and easy to follow. There's no failure of communication here, no losing of the thread while the tale is spun out before us. We are taken from the shores of Troy until at last we arrive at Ithaca and into the arms of Penelope with many adventures, catastrophes and bloody encounters artfully illustrated and brought frighteningly to life during this short hour. It's a small theatre they're in at the Pleasance Dome but I prophesise that it will be full for most of their run.
Show runs: 5 August - 30 August, 2:50pm