Hercules – Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, Chester

Writer: Helen Eastman

Composer: Alex Silverman

Director: Alex Clifton

Reviewer: Jane Dawson

The Public Reviews Rating:

A new adaptation of the tale of the 12 Labours of Hercules, written for a family audience and performed in the perfect setting of Chester’s Grosvenor Park on a beautifully designed and crafted bespoke stage, also used for Much Ado About Nothing.

The traditional Greek Chorus is formed by a group of journalists, complete with trench coats, trilbies, mobile phones and outside broadcasts. They swarm around Hercules and feed on his life in true paparazzi style, misquoting friends and relatives, misinterpreting (no) comments and making the mundane front page news. The 12 strong chorus provides commentary, narrative, set and structure. Its concept is imaginative and its execution masterful.

Hercules, the son of Zeus and a mortal mother, has been challenged by Hera (Zeus’s goddess wife who hates her husband’s illegitimate son with a passion) to undertake 12 impossible tasks – if he succeeds he will be made immortal and a full god, rather than half man, half god. Hera’s intention and expectation is that he will fail.

Of course, he doesn’t. He succeeds with the help of his nephew Iolaus, and ultimately becomes the hero the human race needs.

Helen Eastman has developed a very funny, accessible script that somehow brings Greek mythology bang up to date without losing any of its magic and wonder. She has rewritten the 12 labours so that they are rather less bloody than the original, but no less challenging. Hercules’s labours are physical, mental and emotional – his physical prowess and strength but apparent lack of intellect is matched by his nephew’s scout mentality and quick wit. Iolaus is a fabulous character, modelled on every superhero’s sidekick.

The play worked on many levels – like pantomime, it worked for both kids and adults, and was both physical and verbal entertainment. It was also classic in the search for eternal youth, and modern in its celebration of celebrity and the need we all feel to be recognised and relevant. I absolutely loved the reworking of the story of the Erymanthian Boar Bore – humour that was both gentle and caustic. This lovely writing style and easily understood comedy kept every member of the audience engrossed.

As in Much Ado, the company worked very much as an ensemble, although clear front runners were David Caves (Hercules), Stefan Butler (Iolaus) and Dale Superville as a significant number of labours/bad guys that needed defeating.

It was impressive how much interaction with the audience there was, without it being gratuitous. That the actors were comfortable and confident in the material and their roles was demonstrated when a toddler called Arthur almost stole the show – instead he was integrated into the action and the focus stayed on the story.

This was a production that was directed with a light touch but clear vision (Alex Clifton). The design (takis), again like Much Ado, focused on costume, but it very much reflected the characters. Iolaus and his slightly garish, mismatched geek/travel ensemble, Hercules and his fitness freak wardrobe, Amphitryon’s comfy pullover and Hippolyta’s fashion conscious but practical outfits. The original music (Alex Silverman, with Leon Scott as Musical Director) added to the atmosphere of the play underscoring both comedy and emotion. It’s also worth mentioning the fights (Bref Yount) – some were lengthy and complex but felt and looked like fights rather than choreography, adding to the excitement and anticipation.

This was a really excellent production, perfect for a family audience and great in the outdoors.

It’s been fabulous to see theatre in Grosvenor Park this summer – Chester Performs has definitely added a new dimension to the city’s theatre offer. I, for one, certainly hope that the summer season is repeated next year so that, with companies like Theatre in the Quarter and Chester Mystery Plays, and venues such as the Forum Theatre, we are working towards year round professional theatre in Chester once again.