PRESS RELEASE - Odysseus and the Really Freaky Monsters - By Russell, Franklin and Bartlett with original music by Davidson

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2004
Pleasance Dome, August 5th - 22nd 11.50am (1hour 10mins)

Ancient Greece is enjoying a revival in the cinema in 2004 by the release of two blockbuster movies, ’Troy’ starring Brad Pitt, Peter O’Toole and Orlando Bloom and ’Alexander the Great’ starring Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie and Sir Anthony Hopkins.

Odysseus and the Really Freaky Monsters is an original, world premiere adaptation of the classic tale by Homer, The Odyssey.

We start our story as Odysseus crosses the seas of Ancient Greece to go to war with Troy. Ten years later, still stuck outside the great City Walls of Troy, and just as everyone is about to give up and go home, Odysseus comes up with a cunning plan to use his faithful (pantomime) horse, Dobbinarius, to trick the Trojans into letting them into Troy.

After a big battle, which true to the Greek tradition, we don’t actually see, Odysseus defeats the Trojans and heads for home. On the way he enlists the help of three gorgeous young Goddesses, Athena, Aphrodite and Hera (not one of them a day over 360 years old). The Goddesses help Odysseus and his crew as they face terrible danger from some really freaky monsters including the giant, one-eyed Cyclops Polyphemus, the seven-headed sea monster Scylla, the all-singing, half-woman half-vulture Siren and the evil enchantress Circe who turns Odysseus’s men into pigs and then offers round the bacon sandwiches.

Tidemark’s production blends original script, music, movement and puppetry with a liberal splash of irreverent humour to produce a fantastic, magical journey that will capture the hearts and minds of children up to the age of 90!

About Tidemark

Tidemark is an experienced producer for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe having a consistent track record for bringing high-quality, sell-out shows.

Beyond Edinburgh, Tidemark has racked up considerable recognition for both writing and production work, winning numerous awards including most recently in 2003 ’The Vow’ - Regional winner and finalist at the 2003 SCDA festival with Leitheatre and winner, Best One-Act Play Derek Lomas Playwriting Competition, Wellington Literary Festival 2003.

Tidemark’s original work has been performed by many other companies throughout the UK.

Quotes from previous Tidemark reviews

"fine production...superb character actresses...a show of notable quality."

"...extremely well-written...hilariously horrifying."

"..very funny...insight and great subtlety in the writing."

"...honest and well-written...well-paced humour...breezy, effortless performances...superb."

"...takes some extravagant liberties...energetic...a natural talent for comedy."