THESPIANS Mercury, Colchester and TOURING

A FUNNY SHOW HAPPENENED ON THE WAY TO THE COLISEUM Ancient Greece is suffering drought and near-famine, and on a small island (population 16 and a half) prayers to Dionysius (“Dionysus, end this crisis!”) are getting nowhere. The Tyrant of Athens summons scattered Greece to a prayer competition, meeeting little enthusiasm from the grumpy middle-aged elder Melampus, her nervous servant Atlas and the preeningly military Adonis. Young Thespis and his sister Poly offer to write the new prayer, and he has a moment of inspiration. Since they’re all fed up one way or another, and sing about being trapped in their disappointing selves, Thespis suggests they should understand each other better. Well, obviously the way to do this is to “walk in their sandals” – impersonate someone and get inside another’s character and feelings. They all try this: thrillingly, they have just invented Theatre! And, naturally, modern cries of “I feel seen!”. As the young caper and clamber around the elegantly…