We’ve seen every Le Navet Bete play in York, and are big fans. But did Oh Zeus! have us grinning from Oia to Oia? Or should you give this one a myth?
Sabotaged banana splits, pool noodle battles, talking pot plants, flying babies…fair to say this isn’t your typical retelling of the Greek tales.
Set in the fictional Hotel Krapios – think Fawlty Towers meets that ramshackle villa from Mamma Mia – the plot revolves around the wedding of Greg (not Greggs) and Hebe. Dad Zeus is against them getting hitched, and concocts a scheme to keep the two apart.
Le Navet Bete bring their usual madcap nonsense, and the team delight with more silliness than you can shake a trident at. With boundless energy, Al Dunn, Nick Bunt and Matt Freeman certainly urn (another Greek pun, no Apollogies) their ticket sales.
Between them they play 40 characters, and some of the quick changes are almost Olympic speed. Some of the slapstick is so fast, I’m surprised they haven’t slipped a discus.
Special mention to hardworking Stage Manager Abi Jones too, who also dons costumes to fulfil some of the roles…when she’s not organising a mindboggling array of props, wigs and costumes backstage.
Katie Haywood’s costumes are eclectic and fun, and Fi Russell’s set isn’t a tragedy either. Visually stunning, it doubles as both a krap hotel and Hades’ Underworld. The design cleverly hides trapdoors, smoke machines, fans and more – and has clearly been designed to complement the action.
Linking the Greek Gods is no easy feat, and the plot can feel disjointed at times. If you don’t have prior knowledge of Greek mythology then you may struggle to keep up, but it’s daft and visual enough to engage nonetheless. Whilst the pace dips at points, the trio are so likeable and have such strong chemistry that it’s like being in the company of hilarious mates.
Highlights for me included the dead-Zeus banana-split sequence (it really a-peels!) as the farce builds and builds. The appearance of Hydra is a treat, and you can never have too many dancing bats.
Family fun? 12+ is the recommended age; a fair few naughty words and plenty of flesh on show, but nothing extreme! It’s not panto or a kids show as such, but the fourth wall breaks more easily than a plate at a Greek wedding.
Expect slapstick, songs, puppetry, unicycling, a centaur with loose bowels and a narrative madder than an angry Zeus. Just don’t take it too Syrosly.
Still time to book? Feta late than never, visit www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/oh-zeus/
Oh Zeus! runs until Saturday 20th June at York Theatre Royal, before continuing its UK tour. All tour dates at www.lenavetbete.com/current-shows/oh-zeus
Disclaimer: Tickets were kindly provided for this performance, however all opinions are honest and are our own.
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