The Trojan War
Devisor: A Slightly Isolated Dog Theatre Company
Director: Leo Gene Peters
Riverside Theatre, Parramatta
May 30 – 31, 2025
In mounting this production of The Trojan War, director Leo Gene Peters’ intention was to explore theatre and storytelling as a celebratory event, literally, a party in the theatre. And that’s exactly what his cast and crew achieve!
The first hint of the fun and playfulness that awaits them is when the five performers gleefully tease and cajole the audience as they enter the theatre. Presented by New Zealand Theatre company, A Slightly Isolated Dog, it’s an energetic high-speed romp, reminiscent in style to forerunners like Monty Python and the Mighty Boosh.
Some of the Greek characters are delegated to audience members before the cast proceeds to tell their hilarious and energetic take on the famous Greek saga. The five cast members – Susie Berry, Jack Buchanan, Andrew Paterson, Jonathan Price and Comfrey Sanders –
bounce freely between all the key characters – Helen, Paris, Agamemnon, Achilles, Hector, with a few Greek gods thrown in, to add spice to the mix.
The action is hilarious, satirical and non-stop. The cast simulates fake fighting, famous warriors demonstrate their fighting skills, Helen and Paris profess love, while Paris at the same time, romances various audience members. There is a lot of falling about, swords clashing and bows being drawn, all cleverly synchronised with the sound effects (Sam Clavis).
The production design has the look of an end-of-term theatre class: the actors are in daywear, with one or two idiosyncratic costume items (like a male actor in a perilous pair of high-heeled platforms), helmets and props are cobbled together out of cardboard boxes and tape, being reassembled in different configurations as required.
As if to take a breather from the frenetic pace, the actors intermittently group up and deliver surprisingly capable vocals of some classic pop hits, among them Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball”.
Finally, the cardboard boxes are reorganised into what passes for a “wooden horse” and we all know how that ends!
Not your usual theatre offering, but very entertaining – its blend of excellent performances, historical allusions, and zany, hilarious, satirical fun was enthusiastically received by the Friday evening audience, who gave them two rousing curtain calls.
