We were so excited to discover that Lyngo Theatre’s There and Back Again: An Odyssey would be at Northern Stage for a few days – we immediately booked tickets, and prepared for adventure! This immersive family production uses a mix of live cinema and theatre to take you on a tumultuous journey with Odysseus himself – or Ulysses, as they refer to him in the show. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and deliberately didn’t read too much about it beforehand. But we were blown away!
Patrick Lynch (of CBeebies fame) delivers an incredible and wholly mesmerising show: using miniature sets crafted from all sorts of wonderful materials, he recreates the world of Homer’s epic from the lofty walls of Troy to the crashing waves of Poseidon. All the while, his creations are projected onto a cinema screen for the audience to see in detail – accompanied by his engaging commentary as well as beautifully subtle music. He switches between direct addresses to the audience and a dramatic narration worthy of any epic bard.
I was worried it might be a bit much for the 6yo, but he was captivated – as were most of the very young audience around us. Lynch keeps things moving along at pace, balancing high drama with plenty of humour, and conveying it all through the clever use of the miniatures: think walnut-shell boats tossed about in blue fabric waves, lots of wood, and plenty of sand! There is some truly innovative puppetry, from Odysseus conveyed through limbs to an enjoyably creepy Tiresias skeleton in the Land of the Dead.
For the Homeric purists among you, you’ll be glad to hear that Odysseus’ adventures unfold in close order to the poem itself. While the Telemachy is swapped out for a Trojan War recap (featuring the all important horse!), the adventures of Odysseus himself start where they should: with Odysseus on the shore of Calypso’s island, weeping. Some of the events that children’s retellings tend to skip over – like the Lotus Eaters or King Aeolus – are all present and correct. The 6yo’s favourite was of course the encounter with Polyphemus in his cave – while I found the recognition scene with Eurycleia surprisingly emotional, even just retold using a clay pot and some water.
This is a rare kind of magic that blends ancient tales with creativity and technology – definitely a must-see for any littles interested in mythology, crafting, or tall tales! I wish I’d taken my own students along so they could see the amazing things you can do with the ancient world when you share it beyond the confines of a classroom.
We had a lovely lunch too at Northern Stage, which is well worth popping into before a show. They weren’t offering the kids’ lunch boxes that day which was a bit of a pain, but the 6yo was more than happy with the alternative – a margherita pizza bigger than his head. Ah, the summer holidays…
wee classics 