Carousel Theatre, 2007

Review by Katie

 

"I can't believe you came all this way for The Odyssey," said Teryl after a recent performance. "It's for kids."

Well, yes, Carousel Theatre's stripped down version of the classical tale definitely does cater to the younger set, but there is plenty here for Teryl fans of all ages.

Exploiting familiar bardic tropes ("the quick-witted Odysseus") and the episodic nature of the epic poem's format, the play breaks down the long story into discrete chunks. The homebound hero (Tobias Slezak, familiar to SG-1 fans for his role in the episode "Heroes," but we won't hold that against him) relates his two-decade journey to his patron Athena (Lisa Bunting, also familiar to SG-1 fans for her appearance as Claire Jackson in "The Gamekeeper") in flashback, revisiting the trials of his crew and the inspired resourcefulness that kept him alive. Songs and clever visual gags tie the plot together, as do the reappearing faces of the cast.

Teryl herself plays four different roles, ranging from loyal family pet to Hathor-esque seductress. She first appears as be-kelped henchman to sea god Poseidon, taunting Odysseus and his crew in athletic forays across the stage. Later she appears as Argos, Odysseus' faithful dog who awaits his master's return. Later still, her comic skills shine as the South Wind, daughter to Aeolaus. Finally, she is Circe, the powerful and exiled sorceress intent on keeping Odysseus' crew captive as pigs and Odysseus himself as her personal companion.

Each role is uniquely challenging, from the physical demands of the henchman's antics, to the roller-skating teenager embodying the spirit of the wind. Teryl's versatility as a performer allows her to truly "disappear" within each role, making her hard to spot after every costume change. Her fellow cast members also step up to the challenge, especially Allan Zinyk, who offers the bulk of the play's comic relief as three different characters.

While certain plot points are modified slightly for the target audience (Argos survives the play, though not the poem, and Circe's wiles are decidedly G-rated), the script takes a few modern turns as well. An accidental kiss between two of Penelope's (male) suitors provokes twitters amongst the younger viewers, and with a sly wink, Athena breaks the fourth wall near the end to ask the audience's advice. Should she tell Odysseus that during his entire soliloquy detailing the challenges of his journey, he's been sitting on the very beach of his home of Ithaca? The piping voices in the back of the theatre seem to think so. The Goddess of Wisdom complies with a laugh, and finally reveals to the hero that he has made it home after all.

And maybe it is "for kids," but more theatrical efforts should possess this level of energy and fun in their storytelling. In fact, I envy the kids who had the opportunity to see this play performed at their local schools. Earning the laughter of a young audience is a unique challenge, one that Carousel's performers meet admirably. And no matter what Teryl (and perhaps Odysseus) might say, it was worth every minute of the journey.