Theatre Ad Infinitum’s Odyssey is co-devised and co-directed by Nir Paldi and George Mann. It re-tells one of the oldest stories of all: the perilous journey that Odysseus takes when returning to Ithaca after the fall of Troy. No matter how familiar elements of this epic tale may be, the inventiveness and skill with which it is presented here make it seem newly minted. Plainly dressed and on a bare stage, George Mann recreates all of Homer’s characters: fearless heroes, seductive nymphs and hideous monsters are each invested with a distinctive voice and telling gestures. Every sound-effect is supplied vocally; one moment there is the swishing of a whirling sword, next we hear the bouncing of a cork across the floor. No sentence is delivered without an evocative movement of the hands or change in posture; sometimes it seems that every word has its own accompanying mime. This intensely physical style of presentation is so densely packed with illustrative techniques that initially it can seem a little bewildering, but one quickly becomes tuned in.
It might have been tempting to deliver this great, sweeping narrative in an entirely reverential, even solemn manner, but Paldi and Mann have recognised that there are plenty of opportunities for humour. The nymph Calypso is a gloriously exaggerated embodiment of feminine wiliness, and Cyclops is equipped with an appropriately epic capacity for belching. There are some splendid transformation scenes, such as when Circe turns men into grunting pigs, or when Odysseus becomes an old beggar, hobbling with a stick. Sometimes a relatively mundane moment is made vividly real by a telling gesture or particularly effective sound – I could see the water in which a servant washes the beggar’s feet. The final battle is immensely exciting, as Odysseus and Telemachus slaughter all of Penelope’s hapless suitors.
George Mann has brought a hugely impressive range of theatrical skills to this performance. He has a particularly fine voice, not unlike Patrick Stewart’s in moments of grandeur, and there are perhaps more occasions when he could afford to let it speak for itself, unadorned by additional effects. It was good to see so many young people in last night’s audience, transfixed by this most ancient of tales. This is a triumphant piece of story-telling; a breath-taking kaleidoscope of words, movement and sounds. Unmissable. ★★★★★ Mike Whitton 23rd November 2016
