William Zappa’s presentation of some entertaining parts of Homer’s The Iliad demonstrated that the Epic is contemporary. Fate: men have no choice but to go off to war!  Love: women tend the babies while the men fight! Patriotism: loyalty to the tribe regardless of the consequences! … That sounds like today’s news.

Remember The Iliad from high school?  The ten-year siege of the city of Troy by the  Mycenaean Greek states, the Trojan Horse, Achilles’ heel, Zeus and lots of other Gods? 

William’s vignettes from the Epic were presented as one 20-minute interlude in the middle of a five-course dinner with matching wines at Beckett’s Clubhouse in Glebe. Chef Jeff Schroeter’s courses were related to what might have been eaten at a feast in Homer’s time. It was all beautifully presented and delicious. Beckett’s is in the historic Darling Mills building, a beautiful setting for small theatre presentations.

This once only event was billed as a ‘theatre vignette’.  Most of us had come for theatre, to hear William Zappa perform his version of The Iliad. William’s 20-minute presentation, script in hand, was casual and less dramatic than expected – low key suitable for the occasion. The total event was four hours, the audience sitting in chairs around the table not able to move. That is too long for active people. Next time, more theatre, please. Perhaps two 20-minute presentations and one less course.

THE ILIAD was composed in dactylic hexameter, a rhythm not readily adapted to the spoken language. Consequently it has never been a popular form of theatre. But presented by this master actor, it is superb. It is called THE ILIAD – OUT LOUD because William rewrote the text specifically to be spoken. He compared seven English translations of the Epic. He then cherry-picked parts from each to create this OUT LOUD version. He performed nine hours of the version at the 2019 Festival of Sydney and at the 2020 Adelaide Festival. 

William Zappa is an Anglo-Greek Sydney actor with over fifty years of experience. He has played leading roles with Australia’s major theatre companies and has extensive film and television credits. 

Beckett’s  Clubhouse presentations are curated by Wendy Beckett. Wendy  has written more than 25 theatre plays and directed more than 40. Her plays have been produced in several different languages and cities around the world. Her next theatre presentation is SAPPHO, a new comic play she wrote about the greatest of the ancient Greek poets. Performances are in various locations in Greece this August, some in amphitheatres. Let us hope Wendy brings the play to Sydney! It sounds fascinating.

Information about Beckett’s next theatre event in Sydney:  www.beckettsbardining.com.au  

Details of membership to Beckett’s Clubhouse: www.beckettsbardining.com.au/club-house

Information about the chef: www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-schroeter-35b1905a

Photography by David Li Photography