CRITIQUE – At the Théâtre des Variétés, this musical makes Greek mythology accessible and fun for young audiences. Less so for adults.
Poseidon, Hermes, Zeus, Circe, Penelope and Telemachus… Want your kids to brush up on Greek mythology? Making it accessible and fun for a young audience – from age 8 upwards, in our opinion – almost three millennia after its creation, is the challenge taken up by the tandem of Ely Grimaldi and Igor de Chaillé, already at the origin of Mysterious Cities of Gold and the The Jungle Book.
After triumphing in the Trojan War thanks to his ingenious horse, Ulysses takes ten years to return to his island of Ithaca. Directed by Guillaume Bouchède, a veteran of family shows (Pinocchio, Denver) and winner of the Molière in a Supporting Role in 2024, The Musical Odyssey of Ulysses kicks off with a rap in praise of Ulysses, the most divine of mortals and war hero.
During his sea voyage, Ulysses implores Zeus to come to his aid. The Trojans, defeated by the Greeks, are mocked by “ Hermes, the king of SMS ” : “ Les Troyens, c’est des bolosses “. Later, the messenger of the gods experiences “ le seum “ and asks: “ Quoicoubé ? “. Hermes, the perfect teenager of 2024. This adaptation, resolutely anchored in Generation Z, may not shine in terms of depth, but it manages to arouse the hilarity of young audiences and has retraced the major stages of Ulysses’ journey. On the other hand, Homer fans over the age of 18 may feel a certain unease.
Stéphane Parphot
Between two scenes, a voiceover contextualizes the story through slam poetry. Zeus’ daughter Athena is attracted to Ulysses, while Poseidon seeks to destroy him; the goddess of war and the god of the sea clash in a musical battle. Some of the melodies and choreography manage to break up a few long stretches. The staging uses modest moving sets to represent the various stages of the voyage: the Cyclops’ lair, Circe’s island and the passage near the Sirens.
Ulysses and his crew of warriors are apprehensive about the sea voyage and the wrath of the gods, and rightly so. Poseidon causes their shipwreck, and Ulysses must then fight his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus, represented by a monstrous puppet with one mouth and one eye. Later, he must resist the bewitching song of the sirens. When he kisses the dreaded Circe, the children let out a chorus of “yuck”. Meanwhile, his wife Penelope and his son wait patiently for him in Ithaca. “ Where you are dad ? “ intones Telemachus. The actors take on several roles throughout the show, switching from one god to another with ease, except for Christophe Mai, who plays Ulysses exclusively.
Finally back in Ithaca, facing his rivals, Ulysses, disguised as a beggar, meets up with Telemachus and Penelope and proves his legendary dexterity with the bow. “Today, women have the right to witness this scene, explains Athena. Kings are retrograde. Despite the divine moods, Penelope, Telemachus and Ulysses emerge triumphant. We leave the show a little bewildered, but the children are delighted.
Stéphane Parphot
At Théâtre des Variétés, 7, boulevard Montmartre, 75002 Paris. Weekends (some Saturdays at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.) and during school vacations until April 27.