This was published 9 years ago
Iliads – Ben Speth's unorthodox adaptation of Homer's epic tales
By John Bailey
Local performance-maker Ben Speth's new adaptation of The Iliad sounds like it's been an appropriately epic task, drawing on no less than seven translations of the classic.
The sources range from seventeenth and eighteenth century English renderings to translations from the 1970s and 90s.
This exploration of The Illiad combines several interpretations of Homer's epic about the adventures of Ulysses.
The upcoming performance should be equally wide-ranging, promising three hours drawing on multiple texts and including structured improvisation.
The contributors and performers arrive from various disciplines with a heavy showing of contemporary dancers, and the work will produce a dialogue between translators as well as performers, so don't expect anything approaching the orthodox.
Iliads runs from February 12 to 14 at 36 Moreland St, Footscray, with limited bookings on 9687 7173.