THE ODYSSEY Comes to London this Summer as a Free 3-Part Open-Air Theatre Experience

In a stunning setting on the banks of the River Thames, in The Scoop sunken ampitheatre, London's Free Open Air Theatre Season promises to excite audiences for its 14th year by returning to its critically acclaimed classical roots with a reimagining of one of the world's great epics - Homer's Greek epic, The Odyssey.

A three-hour, three-part story filled with monstrous creatures and battles of the high sea, adapter/director Phil Willmott promises this season will be of epic proportions. Each part will be a story within itself, and can be enjoyed individually, or alternatively audiences can experience the whole of Odyessus journey across a fantastical three-hour show.

And there's no need to book - just turn up and take a seat! There's room for 1,000 people at every performance.

Staged as part of the London Bridge City Summer Festival, The Odyssey will be performed at The Scoop in this month-long, completely free event for all ages from on Wednesday - Sunday evenings from 9 August - 3 September.

Press Night: 6.00pm on Friday 18 August

Wet weather alternatives: 6.00pm on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 August

Part One: A GREAT BIG ANCIENT GREEK ADVENTURE (6.00pm) will excite explorers of all ages as our hero Odysseus sets off from Troy, yearning to return home. Suitable for all the family, this engaging first play will be jam-packed full of adventure as our hero battles both gods and monsters.

Part Two: THE POWER OF LOVE (7.30pm) is a play for the romantic at heart, as Odysseus and his crew are confronted by tempting sirens and passionate goddesses. Odysseus struggles to stay faithful to his wife, Penelope, whilst she is besieged by suitors at home. Can their love survive with the two kept so far apart and for so long?

Part Three: THE HOMECOMING (9.00pm) Odysseus must adapt to a changed world as he finally returns to face the perils of reclaiming his former kingdom and reuniting with his loved ones. This hauntingly beautiful final play is a celebration of home and family.

Cast to be announced.

Creative team: Writer & Director Phil Willmott. Music Theo Holloway. Set Design Philip Eddolls Costume Design Penn O'Gara.

Lighting Design Phil Supple. Puppet Design Jonny Dixon. Producer Sofi Berenger. Associate Producr George Warren.

London's Free Open Air Theatre Season has been thrilling London audiences and visitors from all over the world since 2003. The Odyssey is a completely free, professional theatre season supported by London Bridge City. The Odyssey will be a central part of the London Bridge City Summer Festival that takes place from June - September annually on the banks of the River Thames around City Hall with plenty of events, bars and eateries all summer for all the family.

This year, Iris Theatre, the award-winning theatre company based at the world-famous St. Paul's Church in Covent Garden, have taken over the production of London's Free Open Air Theatre Season and are producing The Odyssey with Phil Willmott's award-winning, resident

company, Gods and Monsters Theatre, alongside their own 10th anniversary summer outdoor promenade shows, Macbeth and Hansel & Gretel and the Witch Baba Yaga at St.Paul's Church.

Phil Willmott (Writer and Director)

Phil Willmott is a multi-award winning director, artistic director, playwright, composer, librettist, teacher, dramaturg, arts journalist and actor. He has worked in theatres across the world on everything from classical drama, musicals and family shows to cabaret and cutting edge new writing including notable productions at Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, Shef eld Crucible, The National Theatre Studio, Nottingham Playhouse, in the West End and for 10 years as an associate artist at B.A.C. He is currently Founding Artistic Director of The Finborough Theatre and Artistic Director of The Phil Willmott Company and Gods and Monsters Theatre based at The Scoop outdoor amphitheatre on the South Bank. He's been a recipient of a Peter Brook award for innovation and entertaining theatre for his classical and family shows at The Scoop, a UK Theatre Award for outstanding musical production, WhatsOnStage award nominations for best regional and Off West End productions, numerous Off West End Award nominations, a Brooks Atkinson/Royal Court award in New York for

playwriting and 4 Spirit of Broadway Awards.

GODS AND MONSTERS THEATRE

Gods and Monsters Theatre was established in 2003 by Artistic Director Phil Willmott and Producer SuzAnna Rosenthal to connect with communities who would not otherwise engage with theatre. They provide entertaining productions of the classics, performed for free in the relaxed and welcoming environment of The Scoop, a 1000-seat amphitheatre adjacent to London's City Hall. A recipient of two awards, notable productions have included a dramatisation of Richard Wagner's entire Ring Cycle libretti; Sophocles' The Theban Plays; Euripides' Oresteia; The Trojan War Trilogy; Medea (In a new version by Stella Duffy); Children of Herakles; Helen; The Cyclops; Brecht's Caucasian Chalk Circle and The Mother (the latter in a new version by Mark Ravenhill); Lorca's Blood Wedding and a new rock musical of Crime and Punishment with songs by Toyah Willcox and Simon Darlow. Family shows have included Androcles and the Lion; Treasure Island; Jungle Book; Toad Hall; Jason and the Argonauts; The Wawel Dragon and Around The World in Eighty Days.

IRIS THEATRE

In 2017, Iris Theatre and producer Sofi Berenger took over the running of London's Free Open Air Theatre Season. An award-winning theatre company led by Daniel Winder, Iris Theatre are known for producing award winning, vibrant and accessible site-specific and outdoor theatre, and celebrate their 10th anniversary this year with productions of Macbeth and Hansel and Gretel.

LONDON BRIDGE CITY SUMMER FESTIVAL

The London Bridge City Summer Festival is the Capital's largest free bridge-to-bridge festival. Set against the backdrop of some of London's most iconic riverside landmarks, it is set to run from Thursday 1 June to Thursday 31 August. This sensational Summer celebration will provide a picturesque central setting for a fantastic array of food, drink and live entertainment throughout the season. This unmissable schedule of entertainment takes place at three distinctive locations, running from London Bridge to Tower Bridge. The amphitheatre-style steps of The Scoop, the beautiful historic architecture of Hay's Galleria and the riverside promenade at The Pier. London Bridge City also hosts the return of the London Riviera, this year celebrating to all things Mexican. Each venue will be bustling with activity seven days a week, from 10am until 10pm.For the full schedule, please visit www.londonbridgecity.co.uk.

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