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Mythic a New Musical at Charing Cross Theatre | Review

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MYTHIC Genevieve McCarthy (Aphrodite) Michael Mather (Hades) and cast Photo Marc Brenner
MYTHIC Genevieve McCarthy (Aphrodite) Michael Mather (Hades) and cast Photo Marc Brenner

Mythic: A New Musical is a well-polished professional production which in a fast-paced 90 minutes (no interval) brings the world of the Greek gods and their rebellious offspring thrilling to life. Witty lyrics are superbly sung (17 musical numbers in 90 minutes that’s impressive) and dance routines full of energy and zest, an outstanding cast, razor-sharp direction (and Choreography from Sarah O’Gleby) and wonderful music all gel together to make Mythic perfect family entertainment.

Mythic starts appropriately with “It’s a Myth” a song which frames the rest of the show. The idea that parents and children are going to get on without conflict is a Myth. Demeter (Daniella Bowen) believes she can keep her daughter Persephone (Georgie Westall) at home by her side forever. Whilst Zeus (Tim Oxbrow) neglects his daughter Aphrodite (Genevieve McCarthy) because he’s too busy partying. The ensuing dynamics (Mother/Daughter and Father / Daughter) drive the show onward. Demeter like King Canute fights a losing battle to control Persephone and Aphrodite does everything she can to impress her dad.

Both strands come together via Hades (Michael Mather) a Sid Vicious lookalike who is God of the Dead. Not surprisingly Persephone falls for him and gets herself trapped in the Underworld. Cleverly evoked both by the neon sign “UNDERWORLD” across the stage backdrop but also by the setting of the Charing Cross Theatre underneath the arches of Charing Cross Railway Station, adjacent to the Thames Embankment – The Thames as the River Styx? Aphrodite sees a chance to get her dad’s approval by hurting Demeter his ex by encouraging Hades to take Persephone down deeper and down into the Underworld (Down, Down into the Dark).

The rest of the play turns on the playing out of this dramatic situation. Can Demeter (What Mothers Have To Do) rescue her daughter? Can Persephone rebel (Rebellious Children) without coming a cropper? Can Aphrodite (Mess Around) persuade Zeus to see her and be a good Dad? Can Hades free himself from his negative mindset (Dark Damaged Soul) and love again? To find out you’ll have to go and see this highly entertaining and utterly charming musical.

4 stars

Review by John O’Brien

The relationship between a mother and her teenage daughter can be sheer hell – especially if that daughter is a Greek goddess with a taste for the Underworld.

MYTHIC, a new pop/rock musical comedy by Marcus Stevens (Book and Lyrics) and Oran Eldor (Music and Orchestrations), turns the ancient Greek story of Persephone on its side, with the gods as chart-topping rock stars, power-hungry politicians, and professional VIPs.

In a world of Olympian celebrity, Persephone struggles between her mother Demeter’s expectations and a desire to find her own path. But her wish for independence comes back to bite her when she gets trapped in the Hell with Greece’s perennial bad boy, Hades.

The journey that follows is an offbeat, emotionally-charged tale for ancient and modern times.

Booking Period: 1 October – 24 November 2018
Charing Cross Theatre, The Arches, Villiers St, London WC2N 6NL

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About John OBrien

JOHN O’BRIEN born in London in 1960 is a born and bred Londoner. His mother was an illiterate Irish traveller. His early years were spent in Ladbroke Grove. He was born at number 40 Lancaster Road. In 1967 the family was rehoused in Hackney. He attended Brooke House School for Boys in Clapton, - as did Lord Sugar. He became head boy and was the first person in his family to make it to university, gaining a place at Goldsmiths College in 1978. He took a degree in Sociology and a PGCE . From 1982 until 1993 he taught at schools in Hackney and Richmond. In 1984-85 he attended Bristol University where he gained a Diploma in Social Administration. From 1985 until 1989 he studied part-time in the evenings for a degree in English Literature at Birkbeck College. He stayed on at Birkbeck from 1990-1992 to study for an MA in Modern English Literature. He left teaching in 1993 and has worked as a tutor, researcher, writer and tour guide. He leads bespoke guided tours on London’s history, art , architecture and culture. He has attended numerous courses at Oxford University - Exeter College, Rewley House & Kellogg College. In London, he attends courses at Gresham College, The National Gallery, The British Museum, The Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art, The British Academy and The Royal Society. Read the latest London theatre reviews by all reviewers.