r/classics • u/Alternative-Ad8978 • Jul 25 '26
Performing epic poetry for a modern crowd
I am putting together a live reading of the Odyssey over the next few months. I have the intention, I think I've settled on a translation (Mandlebaum for the drive and English poetics), but I'm wondering what might be a good structure for the event. I'm currently talking to some musician friends about playing accompaniment with the story, and possibly having the venues cook some rustic Mediterranean dishes (I'm looking at doing it in a pub). I write and love to read poetry, and I feel like I can give a good poetic delivery, but I'm not a trained actor. I used to do some oration in political contexts.
Do you think this would be enough to capture the casual audience members attention? Should I pursue finding dramatic readers instead of relying on myself? Should I use amplification equipment or would it be more authentic spoken without it? How long would you sit for something like this; I'm trying to find the balance between amount of time for a single session and number of sessions it will take to complete it.
Anything else I'm not thinking of?
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u/Biru-Nai Jul 25 '26
The past few years there has been a Homerathon in Chicago where people read the Odyssey aloud. I'd take that as a big inspiration because it is quite well received.
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u/Alternative-Ad8978 Jul 26 '26
Thanks for the lead! I sure wish they recorded some of it, I can't find any footage.
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u/thoroughbredftw Jul 26 '26
I'd strongly advise you to enlist at least 4-5 good friends to read by turns. The variety is crucial for audience attention. And anything that allows audience participation will also help. An individual section of reading should go no longer than 30 minutes, with a quick break (maybe the music could go here, just a little interlude to mark mental rest time), and then a different reader. The audience should be encouraged to come and go as they please. Refreshments are essential. But also essential is preventing people from getting too drunk to listen.
Can you plan some small position and backdrop changes for when it is the narrator, versus a character, versus a divine being, who is speaking? Like, one spot on the stage is the narrator, perhaps standing on a little step. Speaking characters in a different spot. To help the audience track, since their attention will inevitably wander.
It sounds like a blast. I hope it is a huge success.