Oh Zeus! is a fast-paced comedy production. It’s run by Le Navet Bete and was presented at Lowry from the 28th of July until the 1st of August. It tells a fictional story that revolves around Greek mythology, with three actors playing 40 characters. The plot follows numerous gods who are trying to stop a mortal wedding.
The Production Highlights the Appeal of Greek Mythology
The show features Zeus as he tries to block his daughter Hebe from marrying a mortal, Gregg. They set off on a journey, going from Mount Olympus to the Underworld. The cast includes Matt Freeman, Nick Blunt, and Al Dunn.
The event is inspired by shows like Fawlty Towers and The Play That Goes Wrong. Audiences were treated to absurd props as well as physical gags. Al Dunn carries the show as Zeus, but the co-stars have significant parts to play. The three actors had impeccable characterisation and used different costumes to dictate character changes.
The Oh Zeus! set, which was created by Fi Russell, was expertly designed to complement the show, with complex stairs, platforms and doors. The set design is not only impressive, but also pays homage to ancient times.
It wasn’t hard to find inspiration for the set either, especially given how much Greek-themed content there is out there. Greeks: Crucible of Civilization is a series narrated by Liam Neeson, while Bettany Hughes explores archeology in Greek Island Odyssey.
Books like Thomas R. Martin’s Ancient Greece: From Prehistoric to Hellenistic Times also detail what life was like during the era. In iGaming, the Slingo classic title Slingo Centurion also pays homage to the temples used to worship gods like Zeus, or the Roman equivalent, Jupiter.
The amount of thought that went into the set design helped add authenticity to the production. It also made comical moments feel more believable. The show was such a hit at locations like Lowry that future dates have been announced across various UK regional theaters. The show is now running well into 2027.
Stunts and a Poodle
One of the many things that helped to enhance the comedy of the show was that the trio of main actors all performed stunts. Whether it was falling through windows or sliding down stone stairs, the show made full use of the set.
The gods eventually appear at the wedding in comical attire, yet Zeus still formulates a plan to call the whole thing off. Zeus, despite not being mortal, manages to fake his own death, adding further comedy to an already comedic storyline. Some of the myths shown in the series are exaggerated, including Cerberus, who’s portrayed as a three-headed pink poodle.
Despite this, the core characters stay true to their origins and ensure that the story is full of surprises for the audience.
Even though no new dates have been announced at Lowry since the show’s recent run, more dates could be announced for next year. As tickets are selling fast, it may be that Zeus returns sooner than we think.