ODYSSEUS

Overview

Following an exciting period of research and development, Little Seeds Music and Z-arts are proposing a full production of their new musical for families, ‘Odysseus.’ We envisage a cast of 7 actor musicians and singers.

The production will be aimed at ages 8+ but we really see this production as a strong ‘whole family’ offering, appealing as much to teens and parents as to younger children.

The production will blend live music and traditional storytelling to create an exciting, arresting and innovative new musical for children and families.

About Odysseus

The year is 1184 BC, a time of impending war in ancient Greece. It’s going to be a time of heros. But what makes a hero? Is it their extraordinary feats, displays of strength and bravery, or the timeless tales that endure through the ages?

Part live concert, part fireside narrative, Odysseus weaves together mesmerizing live music and original songs with age-old storytelling. Families are welcomed to stand alongside the Greek army at the gates of Troy, embarking on a journey to uncover the essence of true heroism.

Odysseus reunites the Olivier-award-winning team of director Matthew Xia and writer Vikki Stone, alongside captivating original songs and music by composer and children’s author David Gibb. Prepare to encounter Greek myths as you’ve never imagined. Get ready for an adventure that explores the very heart of heroism, bringing to life ancient legends in a way that will leave an indelible mark on your imagination.

Development

Writer Vikki Stone, composer David Gibb and director Matthew Xia have developed an excellent and fruitful working relationship whilst exploring this project.

We feel that they have clearly demonstrated the relevance of this ancient story to a new generation of young audiences, as well as how they intend to combine live music and storytelling to great theatrical effect.

During the R&D period we worked with designer Hannah Sibai to explore ideas and concepts around the look and feel of the production. Hannah’s mood boards from the week present the show being performed in the ruins of a city, with every day objects picked out from amongst the rubble, transforming into props and scenery. A pair of bicycle handlebars become the tusks of a fearsome boar, a fence railing and bin lid are used as a spear and shield to defend a solider against an oncoming army. We would continue to work with Hannah as designer moving forwards.

We would also like to further expand the creative team to include a movement director, fight director, and puppetry director. Finally we would look to continue to work with Rob Green as the leading man for this production, and would involve Rob in the creative process going forwards.

Futher Development & Next Steps

As part of our R&D, we spent a week working in schools across Manchester, delving into the relevance of this 4,000-year-old story for today's young people. We were deeply inspired by the excitement and curiosity the children displayed when hearing the story, many of them for the first time. They were particularly captivated by the complex relationships between the characters and eagerly discussed the traditional roles of men and women, exploring how the story both upholds and challenges these norms. Their insights and reflections have been invaluable in shaping the development of the piece, and we plan to incorporate further research in schools and educational settings as part of the ongoing evolution of this production.

We are very open to ideas and thoughts around how the production could develop further. We are especially keen to ensure that the production has a life beyond any initial run, and we would love to explore future options around touring and transfers as well as international opportunities.

Listen and Watch

Listen to: King Of A Small Town

Odysseus explains how he isn’t interested in going off to war, conquering other people or bringing home riches and fame. Instead he would rather stay at home and rule over his small island kingdom of Ithaca.

Watch: What Makes A Hero

The Greek army pose the question ‘what makes a hero?’ as they prepare to set sail for Troy to make war. This song will act as a thread throughout the show, with several reprises posing the question in different ways with different answers and reflections.

Watch: Something In The Water

Odysseus shares his distress at the bloodshed and slaughter he has inflicted on the people of Troy, and reflects on his role in the conflict, weighing up to what extent he is to blame and the difficult choices he was forced to make.

Creative

Team

  • Matthew Xia

    Director

    Matthew is the Artistic Director and Joint CEO of ATC (Actors Touring Company.In September 2019 he directed his first ATC show, AMSTERDAM by Maya Arad Yasur at The Orange Tree before remounting it the following spring at Theatre Royal Plymouth. With ATC he has gone on to direct Michele Lee’s RICE, and commissioned Mojisola Adebayo’s FAMILY TREE which won the 2021 Alfred Fagon Award for Best New Play. 

    From 2018 - 2022 he was an Associate Artist at the Nottingham Playhouse alongside Amanda Whittington, James Graham, and Sara Knowles.

    From 2014 - 2017 Matthew was Associate Artistic Director at Manchester’s Royal Exchange where he directed BRINK, Stephen Sondheim’s fabled INTO THE WOODS, a new adaptation of FRANKENSTEIN by April De Angelis with Shane Zaza, and Katherine Soper’s Bruntwood Award winning WISH LIST.

    He established the OPEN EXCHANGE, an artist development scheme accessed by thousands of next generation theatre-makers funded by the Esmee Fairburn Foundation.

    In 2022 Matthew directed Marcelo Dos Santos’ Fringe First Award winning FEELING AFRAID AS IF SOMETHING TERRIBLE IS GOING TO HAPPEN starring Samuel Barnett, the 40th Birthday Celebrations for Theatre Royal Plymouth, and alongside Vikki Stone he has adapted children’s favourite HEY DUGGEE for Kenny Wax Family Entertainment, which was created for the Southbank Centre over Christmas before embarking on a year long tour. Matthew’s production of HEY DUGGEE: THE LIVE THEATRE SHOW won the 2023 Olivier Award for Best Family Show. 

    Matthew is a DJ, composer and sound designer under the pseudonym Excalibah.

  • Vikki Stone

    Writer

    Vikki Stone is an award-winning writer, composer, comedian and musician, who has a rather unique set of skills in writing, classical music, musical theatre as well as over ten years on the road as a stand-up comedian. 

    Writing credits include: co-adapter, writer and music supervisor for the Olivier Award winning Hey Duggee Live, #zoologicalsociety for Royal & Derngate, Cinderella & Aladdin for The Lyric Hammersmith, Alice In Wonderland (music and lyrics) for the Liverpool Everyman Playhouse, Peter Pan (music and lyrics) for Rose Theatre Kingston, Sleeping Beauty & Dick Whittington for the New Wolsey Theatre,  Ten Pieces Special Report for BAFTA Nominated children’s music series BBC Ten Pieces, Our Girls Our Game for The British Youth Music Theatre.

    She has four stage musicals currently under commission/in development: a new jukebox musical for New Wolsey Theatre/High Tide/Mercury Colchester,  Maid Marian and Her Merry Men, A New Musical* (*sort of) for G&T Theatrical, My Dog Has Fleas for I.E. Productions and Southbound for Johansson Productions. 

    Vikki was the dramaturg on the new Burlesque musical, that played Manchester Opera House and Theatre Royal Glasgow. She is also consulting on a number of other large scale musicals during their development periods. 

    2025 will see her directing debut, with more details to follow when announced.  

    Vikki made history when she was the musical director, pianist and band leader of the Saturday night ITV prime-time show Romeo and Duet, making her the first on-screen female musical director of a primetime entertainment show in the UK.

  • David Gibb

    Composer

    David Gibb is a theatre maker, composer, writer and musical director. As a performer and recording artist for families, he has gained a loyal fanbase of thousands of children and parents alike from across the UK. 

    As a composer and songwriter his theatrical credits include Climb That Tree (Little Seeds Music), Three Bears, Jingle’s Magic Sleigh, WISH, Suddenly A Star (The Story Museum), Rolling Down The Road (Half Moon Theatre), JACK! (The Met, Bury) Hansel & Gretel (Nottingham Playhouse), Tales From The Lighthouse (Horse & Bamboo) and Luna Loves Library The Musical (Z-arts). His work has been seen at countless venues across the UK including the Lyric Hammersmith, Sage Gateshead, The Marlowe, Warwick Arts Centre, HOME, artsdepot, and Nottingham Theatre Royal. 

    David has been commissioned to write songs and run projects by organisations including Andersen Press, Birmingham Hippodrome, Egmont, Sinfonia Viva, Junction Arts, the English Folk Dance and Song Society, the Eden Project and countless museums, libraries, and schools.

    As a multi instrumentalist, David is an accomplished vocalist and guitarist, as well as playing the piano, banjo, bass guitar, flute and ukulele, all of which are put to good to use in his home studio in Oxfordshire where he writes and produces much of his work.  

    Most recently David has begun to write books for children, the first of which, Too Many Bubbles, was published by Simon & Schuster in 2020. His latest book, Two Wheels, was published by Walker Books in 2024 as was featured and was the Cbeebies Bed Time Story later that year, read by Dame Laura Kenny.

Little Seeds Music

Little Seeds Music specialise in inspiring young people and families through music and theatre. 

Little Seeds Music was established in 2015 with the mission to provide children and families with unforgettable, high quality musical experiences for all generations to enjoy and share together. Their work is supported and recognised by Arts Council England and they have created work in association with Half Moon Theatre, Z-arts, The Story Museum, and The Met, Bury.

As well as producing theatrical touring work, they also coordinate engagement projects across the country with a focus on providing opportunities for young people to develop songwriting and composition skills. Their 2020 digital production ‘Rolling Down The Road’ was named by the Guardian as one of the best pieces of theatre to stream that year, and their work has toured extensively across the UK to venues including Sage Gateshead, the South Bank Centre, Norwich Playhouse, the Lyric Hammersmith, HOME, Warwick Arts Centre, Nottingham Theatre Royal, Half Moon Theatre, and The Marlowe.

Z-arts , Manchester

Z-arts is the UK’s only arts centre dedicated to offering best practice in children and young people’s creative provision. Their mission is: to inspire and enable generations of young people from Greater Manchester and the North West to use creativity to maximise their potential.

They engage 100,000 people per annum in outreach programmes and have superb on-site facilities including a 230-seat theatre; exhibition gallery; recording studio; and music & dance studios.

Z-arts would be the lead parter during the R&D phase of the project providing access to their school networks throughout greater Manchester, and their rehearsal space, theatre and expertise.