THE ODYSSEY BEGINS ITS JOURNEY ACROSS ENGLAND
Production images of The Lotus Eaters at Restoke released
– The Odyssey is reimagined for today in five episodes by five writers across the country and told with hundreds of community members
– The landmark production began at Restoke in Stoke-on-Trent this weekend and will travel to four other locations across England
– The Galley, a 10-metre ship crafted from bamboo, is journeying across the country alongside the productions and collecting messages of remembrance from local communities
The National Theatre’s multi-location production of The Odysseyhas begun its journey across five locations in England, opening with Episode 1: The Lotus Eaters in Restoke in Stoke-on-Trent. The production is a joyful celebration of national community marking the fifth anniversary of Public Acts, the NT’s nationwide programme to create extraordinary acts of theatre and community.
The Lotus Eaters is Restoke’s innovative take on Odysseus, the hero of Homer’s legendary Odyssey, written by Gabriella Gay. At its heart, The Lotus Eaters is a tale of resilience, a theme deeply personal to many of the show’s participants, who have themselves overcome immense challenges, including drug and alcohol addiction, to open a new chapter in their lives.
Member of the community company, Charis Jones, said,“Being part of The Lotus Eaters has been truly life changing. I have found a new family, reignited my love of performing and regained confidence in myself. I am now changing course, creating a new future that would have seemed impossible a year ago. Thank you, everyone who steered this incredible voyage. I can’t wait to get stuck into Episode 5.”
Participant Ella Yates also said, “OUR Greek epic brought back to life our community spirit with energy, tears, laughter and everlasting friendship”.
Emily Lim, Director of Public Acts at the National Theatre said, “It’s been so special to kickstart the journey of The Odyssey with our friends in Stoke. Their beautiful, important piece is a love song to the everyday heroes within their community. We have loved watching audiences meet our ancient story told with such heart and newness by this amazing company.”
The Odyssey is an epic, multi-venue production made in collaboration with hundreds of community members and professional artists from across the country. Through this landmark project, the adventures of Odysseus are reimagined for today as a universal story of resilience, loss, healing and hope.
The next episodes being created and performed by local artists and communities in partner organisations across the country are Cast in Doncaster (15–16 April), Trowbridge Town Hall in Trowbridge (22–23 April) and The Fire Station (for Sunderland Culturein partnership with Sunderland Empire)in Sunderland (28–29 April).
Journeying alongside the productions, The Galley appears in public places including markets, local beaches and parks to collect messages of remembrance from the local community. A 10-metre-long ship crafted from sustainable materials including bamboo and rope, The Galley represents Odysseus’ epic voyage and the nationwide connection between the communities who will tell the story. After each of the episodes, The Galley transforms into the stage of a closing ceremony to pass the baton of the storytelling forward.
The culmination of The Odyssey’s journey, the fifth episode, will be staged as a full-scale musical production at the National Theatre on 26-28 August 2023. This final production will feature community performers from all four previous episodes, as well as members recruited through Public Acts founding community partners, founding theatre partner Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, and Trybe House Theatre in London.
Schedule of The Odyssey upcoming performances and The Galley appearances
Episode 2 – The Cyclops at Cast in Doncaster
Sat 15 April 7.30pm, Sun 16 April 2.30pm
Written by Tajinder Singh Hayer and directed by Madeleine O’Reilly
Galley Schedule: Sat 15 April 10am-2pm at Doncaster Market, 6-7.30pm outside Cast
Episode 3 – The Four Winds at Trowbridge Town Hall, Trowbridge
Sat 22 April 2.30pm & 6.30pm, Sun 23 April 2.30pm & 6.30pm
Written by Florence Espeut-Nickless and directed by Jesse Jones
Galley Schedule: Sat 22 April 12.30-8pm at Trowbridge Park
Episode 4 – The Island of the Sunat The Fire Station, Sunderland
Fri 28 April 7.30pm, Sat 29 April 6pm
Written by Lindsay Rodden and directed by Annie Rigby
Galley Schedule: Thurs 27 April Penshaw Monument for sunset, Fri 28 April Roker Beach 11am – 3pm, Sat 29 April 4-6pm outside The Fire Station
Episode 5 – The Underworld at Olivier Theatre, National Theatre
Sat 26 August 7pm, Sun 27 August 7pm, Monday 28 August 2pm & 7pm
Written by Chris Bush, With Music by Jim Fortune and directed by Emily Lim
Public Acts is supported by Arts Council England’s Strategic Touring Fund, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The CareTech Charitable Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Mosawi Foundation and The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust.