Wycliffe College – The Forgotten Odyssey
06 Apr 2016
“The power’s off, the people are rioting and their leader is nowhere to be found. Who are we and where are we going when there’s nobody to take a stand, and those in authority are corrupt to the core?”
“The adults won’t act and the young aren’t trusted to act – so something has to explode. This full-length play presents the untold story of the waiting masses in Ithaca: Greek hero Odysseus has spent 16 years away from his city whilst fighting and attempting to return from the Trojan War – but what awaits his return? The play explores the trials of a city left to waste, and the choices a community faces when the structures that bind them together begin to crumble away.”
Eight years ago, I was running the Everyman Youth Theatre in Cheltenham. We got together with youth theatres from Salisbury Playhouse and Swindon 6th Sense Theatre Company and commissioned writer, David Lane, to write a play for us. We all worked together creating and devising for over six months and ‘The Forgotten Odyssey’ was the result. Last summer, while I was desperately trying to find an exciting play for a large and very talented cast, I remembered the script. After a search through boxes in the cellar and a call to David Lane, the decision was made and casting began. It proved a hit with the cast and we began rehearsing at the very start of term in September.
The fantastic cast rehearsed every Sunday afternoon and Monday evening and grew together to form a close-knit and talented company of actors, designers and technicians. Christmas came and went and our return from holiday meant we only had one more week of preparation and rehearsal. The set was built, costumes were found, bought and hired, the make-up box sorted out, the props gathered together and placed ready on the props tables. Two full day rehearsals and the dress rehearsal performed to Year 8 of the Prep School and then our three shows followed.
‘The Forgotten Odyssey’ is not an easy play and I was so proud of every member of the cast. I couldn’t single out any one actor above another as they were all completely committed to the story and their performances were full of passion and integrity.
The school play is a huge highlight in my year. I love watching the actors grow in confidence, make new friends, enjoy being together and being proud of what they create. Roll on the next one! The Forgotten Odyssey “The power’s off, the people are rioting and their leader is nowhere to be found. Who are we and where are we going when there’s nobody to take a stand, and those in authority are corrupt to the core?”
By Andrew Golightly, Head of Drama