A review by Aimee Hartley
As a Greek geek myself, this show did not disappoint. With stunning costumes and inventive props, Conservatoire EAST’s ‘The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza’ was action-packed with modern humour and even the odd musical interlude.
The cast delivered a refreshing take on the classics, from the twelve labours of Hercules to Pandora’s Box – I even found myself laughing at tragedies like Orpheus and Eurydice. With such an inventive and imaginative script, this production blew my expectations of what Greek mythology could be.
Almost every cast member played multiple roles, including a band of Greek superheroes, Gods, even zombies! Even despite these countless costume changes, the pacing never faulted. The cast’s passion and enthusiasm were infectious, and I came away feeling uplifted, inspired, and incredibly amused. I couldn’t quite believe it had been two hours of non-stop chaotic energy.
The show follows an unlikely duo of school students (Isla Redgewell and Isabel Gipson), as they guide us through an educational – sometimes crazy – whistle-stop tour of Greek mythology for a class presentation. ‘Gippy’ and Isla become characters within the stories they tell, bringing a humorous and modern spin to the classic tales: from a Titan therapy session and monstrous game show to a Goddess beauty pageant and a Herculean career session. The venture through the good, the bad (and often ugly) stories flowed effortlessly.
Emily Taylor-Balls’ direction shined along with amazing technical teamwork and stage management by Abbie White.
Wayne Davis’ charismatic Zeus particularly stood out with his exceptionally hilarious take on the character, while Leia Shultz excelled as his son Hercules.
Unlike the tale of Icarus, this production ended on a high, following an incredible retelling of the Trojan War, led by the hilarious Isabel Gipson.
Unfortunately – like most Greek tragedies – all good things come to an end, with the production’s run ending on Saturday 15th. So don’t let hesitation be your Achilles’ Heel, and catch this show before tickets sell out.
