Derek Walcott: The Odyssey: A stage version

Note

Commissioned by and for the Royal Shakespeare Company it was performed at The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, 2^nd July 1992. For details of cast, design, set etc please consult the Classical Receptions in Late Twentieth Century Drama and Poetry in English online database, (ed.) L. Hardwick, [www2.open.ac.uk/ClassicalStudies/GreekPlays/], production ID 845.

 “The underworld turns out to be a desolate London Underground, the rails separating our ancient Greek hero from the shade of his mother, who stands in a modern black shawl and scarf, on the opposite platform”. (taken from a review by Paul Taylor in The Independent 4/7/92)

Use of 'Carnivalesque' staging techniques . Billy Blue is a blind, black, blues singer.

Departure from Homeric narrative (Penelope insists the (black) maid is not hanged).