lwt.txt

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http://www.nightnews.net/fringe2007.htm#odyssey
Title: Odyssey - Livewire Theatre Company
5 silver bats

18 08 07 - Once again and with meaning this fabulous company take us
on another trip through the classics, following up their 2006 
'Iliad' with this years 'Odyssey.' Prepare for a fast paced 
narrative, more tableau set pieces and the expected elegant 
and good looking cast taking up model poses, nicely costumed 
over a stylised set. Additional ambience is provided by well 
chosen piped music which occasionally supports the action. Livewire
do great justice to what is a complex tale and keep the audience
spellbound and wanting to see what happens next throughout the
story. Odysseus who left to fight at Troy has been away 20 years
and is missing, a prisoner of the beautiful nymph Calypso. Back 
home his son Telemachus is trying to assert himself over the court
where his mother Penelope is pursued by suitors who want Odysseus
to be pronounced dead. Onstage an incredible cast project their 
awesome stage presence and seem to play up to the story as if 
studied at an English public school with reminiscences of a Odysseus
bowling at a game of cricket. Temptation, sexual frustration, 
obsessive unbridled lust, tragedy, these are all constant 
companions to the story and the handsome young cast keep these 
undercurrents raging throughout. With many fine touches and scenes,
they tell the story of Odysseus return to Ithaca to reclaim his 
kingdom, Penelope and vanquish her several suitors. There is a 
massive set piece sword battle at the end which did not fail to 
impress. Another epic victory by Livewire Theatre Company.

By John Vassallo