At some point in our academic careers we were forced to read Homer's THE ODYSSEY. Students in raised in the 2000's have access to shortened summaries via Wikipedia or SparkNotes, but with the convenience of instant information, the true story is lost. THE ODYSSEY is not just a very long journey home for a guy, but when looked at as a whole it is an epic adventure.
As part of Orlando Shakespeare's Studio Series, actor and writer, Charlie Bethel tells this harrowing story. How can one man tell the entire story of THE ODYSSEY? With boundless energy, precise lighting and sound cues, and a good audience. With more than 80 characters who come and go, live and die, love and loss, Bethel does not rely on other actors or cheap costume changes. The story comes from in his intonation, his facial expressions, and his energy.
The set is dressed like a college professor's or eclectic historian's office with stacks of books and artifacts everywhere. When Charlie enters the scene he begins with a poetic monologue that quickly launches into the story. It is after the Battle of Troy and Odysseus and his men are trying to sail home to Ithaca.
This production hits all the of best moments from THE ODYSSEY, including when Odysseus makes his first of many enemies by taunting and stabbing the Cyclops in the eye. Using a ladder and covering one eye turns Bethel from narrator to giant cyclops. Audio cues of giant stone rolling and sheeps braying set the scene.
The journey continues as the ladder turns into the boat. Bethel's voice swells and softens like the crashing waves against the boat. We learn to keep our friends close, but not get too attached because they will be eaten. Like the red shirts in Star Trek, each member of Odysseus's crew dies, some being eaten by the six-headed Scylla, some drowning in the whirlpools of Charybdis, and the rest befalling more gruesome fates.
Like most stories originating from ancient times, THE ODYSSEY is meant to teach the audience. We learn the dangers of hubris and how proud men eventually fall. We learn of love and how true love will eventually lead to happiness. We learn never to make a god angry, or you will regret it for a very long time.
The story is all there, but it's not too much story that we ever get bored. In his adaptation Bethel made it a point to ensure the story was accessible to modern day viewers. Adding snarky commentary throughout the narration to keep even the most aloof teenager checked in.
Even when he makes it home, Odysseus is faced with more trials. After 20 years away from home, suitors fill his halls, consume his family out of house and home in an attempt to marry his wife Penelope. When no mortal recognizes Odysseus, man's best friend sees through the age and disguise. In an emotional Old Yeller-esque scene, Bethel elicits real tears. Just for a moment everyone remembers that beloved loyal pet they had in their own lives and understands. Then in disguise Odysseus strings his bow and shoots an arrow perfectly straight through 12 targets, putting the suitors to shame. Our hearts melt as Bethel wraps his arms around himself showing the embrace between husband and wife after 20 years.
As stated earlier, the set is dressed as a historian's office, with books, papers, artifacts stacked neatly. Throughout the performance those props are thrown... all over. An amazingly effective technique to show a tempestuous storm is created by throwing papers everywhere. To demonstrate the destructiveness of a fight scene, piles of books are knocked over and tossed. The end result is a set that looks like a tornado, earthquake, and bull hit it in the course of two hours.
This production truly defines what theater should be: escapism, a good story, and giving ourselves permission to enjoy the moment. The story, with its ancient archetypes of good vs. evil and love vs. lust, fills the soul like a warm bowl of soup on a cold day. Just under two-hours, but do not think this is a boring monologue. Think of it as a storyteller recounting a magnificent journey to a group of friends. So feed your primal urge to gather around the proverbial campfire and listen to Charlie Bethel tell you the story of THE ODYSSEY.
Check out my interview with Charlie Bethel
here. THE ODYSSEY runs at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre until March 17, 2013. For more information visit
www.orlandoshakes.org.
Photo Credit: Orlando Shakespeare Theater
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