The Mischief theatre company, known for the 'Goes Wrong' series, has turned its comedic lens to ancient Greece with its first musical, 'Thespians'. The show, playing at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester, explores the invention of acting by the world's first actor, Thespis, and finds that little has changed in the world of theatre since the sixth century BC.
Co-writers Jonathan Sayer and Ed Zanders introduce Thespis on the drought-stricken island of Ikaria, charting his journey to Athens where he competes in a Eurovision-style prayer competition. The musical features the company's trademark shoestring production values, including a Greek chorus of just two, and is filled with groan-worthy puns and daffy wordplay.
The songs, while occasionally nondescript, grow stronger over the evening, with highlights including a spoof of Kander and Ebb's 'Old Man Tango' featuring a geriatric chorus line. The score, performed by Ben Smith's band, draws more from Sondheim than from high school musicals, fitting the show's subtitle 'Greece the Musical (But Not That One)'.
James Spence plays Thespis, quickly dazzled by his own success, while Luke Latchman and Marc Pickering support as Atlas and Adonis respectively. Claire-Marie Hall's Poly and Rhys Taylor's Tyrant add to the panto-esque adventure, directed by Robyn Grant. The show also features an affable soothsayer, Melampus, played by Mia Jerome, whose predictions of drama's future are plagued by Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Cats'.
While the ending could be speedier and the physical comedy could be zippier, 'Thespians' stands out for its abundance of heart and soul. It is a sweetly affecting paean to empathy and good company, both in life and in theatre.
