Love it or hate it, pantomime is a uniquely British invention as much a part of Christmas as the omnipresent tin of Quality Street. The attraction for any writer seems obvious. Creativity can be applied to a largely blank canvas as new ways are found to get the audience involved. Songs and gags can be written to fit an existing narrative. Performers can knock themselves out with topical references and an improvised script that can be easily revised. However, we've become used to safe stories like Cinderella and Peter Pan. What about a panto featuring the great characters of Greek mythology? This is exactly what the Charles Court Opera has achieved with Odyssey: A Heroic Pantomime.

This breathtakingly bright production features five extremely talented performers – Amy J. Payne, Emily Cairns, Meriel Cunningham, Rosie Strobel and Tamoy Phipps. They double up in various roles as a glorious mash-up of Homer’s Odyssey takes shape. Queen Penelope anxiously awaits the return of her husband Odysseus following the battle of Troy. Ithaca seems a lonely place without him. So she decides to take direct action and enlists the support of Hermes and her ever trusty Trojan horse. Along the way, they encounter all manner of friend and foe as Penelope strives to reunite with her warrior hero.

What’s immediately striking about this production is the spatial awareness displayed by the cast and director John Savournin. The venue has a small performance space, yet they accommodate five actors with a drummer and keyboardist crammed into one corner of the stage. There are musical numbers with some vigorous choreography in heavy looking costumes. All of which is a notable achievement in view of the obvious stage restrictions. The songs themselves are great fun and adapt a range of pop hits which gives them great sing-a-long potential. The show tries hard to avoid the conventions of a classic panto format. For example, the infamous ‘oh yes you did…oh no I didn’t’ scenario doesn’t appear for the first 40 minutes. But it fits well with the persona of Circe, the wicked sorceress who turns people into swine. The familiar call and response tactic is also present and correct which strengthens the bond between actor and audience.

Odyssey: A Heroic Pantomime is the genre at its very best with heroes to cheer and villains to boo. The characters almost line-up like a group of Marvel heroes ready to do battle, but this pays tribute to innovative design and casting. A pun laden script swings from laughter to groaner but is never less than entertaining. Not exactly a history lesson - more a feelgood lesson!

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Brian Penn

Odyssey: A Heroic Pantomime plays at the Jermyn Street Theatre until 31 December, with further information here.