The Odyssey

Theatre Royal Brighton, New Road, Tuesday, October 27, to Saturday, October 31

HOMER’S epic is reimagined in a time-travelling tale by poet Simon Armitage in this new production by English Touring Theatre and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse.

The Oxford professor of poetry’s tale of a modern day Odysseus trying to battle his way home follows a high-ranking government minister, played by Colin Tierney, with a colourful past sent on a diplomatic mission to Istanbul.

After a bar room brawl social media explodes and he is hunted by both the authorities and religious fanatics, before being plunged into the ancient past to encounter the same monsters the Greek hero faced.

In director Nick Bagnall’s production expect encounters with hungry cannibal Cyclops, bewitching sirens calling him to death on the rocks, witches and the dangers of the deep, while his wife Penelope (Susie Trayling) and young son are besieged by a hungry press pack.

“The new gods sit in Whitehall and Downing Street, no less image obsessed and power hungry than their ancient counterparts,” says Armitage.

“A latter day borderless Europe forms the backdrop to Odysseus' travels, to a journey that begins at the confluence point of East and West, a place of conflict from the Siege Of Troy to the present day.”

Starts 7.45pm, 2.30pm matinees Thurs and Sat, tickets from £10. Call 08448 717650.