ODYSSEY

A New Version of an Old Story

By Roland Schimmelpfennig

Translated and Directed by Ross Manson

Canadian Premiere Produced by Toronto Metropolitan University in association with Volcano (2018)

THE PLAY:

Originally commissioned by the Staatsschauspiel Dresden, this version of Homer's epic by German superstar playwright Roland Schimmelpfennig creates a very different take on this ancient tale. 

Seamlessly blending the distant past and the immediate present together, Schimmelpfennig embeds his version in a violent world, much like the world of today. There are ships and swords, and cars and basement apartments. 

We witness the episodic stories of Odysseus's trip home from Troy - but the truth of these stories is gradually brought into question as the audience learns that they are all being told by a school teacher back in Ithaca, as entertainment for the abandoned and lonely Penelope. As a symbol of maleness, the diminutive teacher stands in direct opposition to Odysseus - one a storyteller, the other a killer. Yet it is the teacher who earns Penelope's love. When Odysseus finally arrives home, the logical endpoint of toxic violence slowly unfolds.

ORIGINAL CAST

Blessing Adedijo

Koldin Collie

Miranda Dipietro

Joshua Evans

Ben Kopp

Natalie Marjanovic

Pablo Ogunlesi

Blair Plummer

Calvin Rea

Connor Sharpe

Sienna Singh

CREATIVE TEAM

Playwright: Roland Schimmelpfennig

Director and Translator: Ross Manson

Costume Design: Oshan Starreveld and Katie Mooney
Lighting Design: Sam Skynner

Scenic Design: Ross Manson and Pavlo Bosyy

Sound Design: Jeff Bornstein

Stage Manager: Taylor Zalik-Young

Wardrobe: Alex Gilbert

Production Images