The Odyssey

Three episodes. First broadcast from 20040828 to 20040829.

The Odyssey of Homer, dramatised by Simon Armitage.

As the Olympics come to an end in Greece, Radio 4 tells the great seafaring tale of Odysseus in 3 parts over the weekend.

 
 
EpisodeTitleFirst
Broadcast
Description
01 20040828After 20 years away the Gods decide it is time for Odysseus, a Trojan hero, to return to Ithaca before his wife Penelope is forced to marry again. But the angry God Poseidon still wants revenge.
Odysseus....Tim McInnerny
Penelope....Amanda Redman
Telemachus....Benedict Cumberbatch
Athena....Janet McTeer
Zeus....John Wood
Eurycleia....Mary Wimbush
Hermes....Bertie Carvel
King Alcinous....Geoffrey Whitehead
Queen Arete....Cheryl Campbell
Princess Nausicaa....Alice Hart
Calypso....Adjoa Andoh
The Cyclops....Barrie Rutter
Antinous....Danny Webb
Eurymachus....Jonathan Keeble
Amphinomous....Chris Pavlo
Eurylochus....Ewan Bailey
Polites....John Rowe
Elpenus....Stephen Hogan
Eurybates....Philip Fox
Antiphus....Jon Glover
Music by Gary Yershon.
Musicians.: Keith Thompson, Martin Allen, Robin Jeffrey, Chris Lacey, Elspeth Cowey and Phil Hopkins.
Singer: Jon Glover.
Directed by Janet Whitaker 
02 20040828Odysseus continues the story of his wanderings with his crew and their encounters with Circe the Enchantress, their descent into Hades, the Sirens, the Monster Scylla and the Whirlpool Charybdis before the final disaster on the Isle of the Sun God.
Odysseus....Tim McInnerny
Circe....Frances Barber
Hermes....Bertie Carvel
Eurylochus....Ewan Bailey
Polites....John Rowe
Shipmate....Jon Glover
Elpenus....Stephen Hogan
Eurybates....Philip Fox
King Alcinous....Geoffrey Whitehead
Queen Arete....Cheryl Campbell
Princess Nausicaa....Alice Hart
Ghost of Anticleia....Joanna McCallum
The Sirens....Elena Ferarri, Belinda Sykes, Harriet Williams.
Music by Gary Yershon.
Musicians: Keith Thompson, Martin Allen, Robin Jeffrey, Chris Lacey, Elspeth Cowey and Phil Hopkins.
Directed by Janet Whitaker 
03 LASTHomecoming20040829The homecoming of Odysseus, disguised as a beggar by Athena until he is ready for the final confrontation with the suitors and can be reunited with Penelope.
Odysseus....Tim McInnerny
Penelope....Amanda Redman
Telemachus....Benedict Cumberbatch
Athena....Janet McTeer
Zeus....John Wood
Eurycleia....Mary Wimbush
Antinous....Danny Webb
Eurymachus....Jonathan Keeble
Amphinomus....Chris Pavlo
Eumaeus....Ioan Meredith
Music by Gary Yershon
Musicians: Keith Thompson, Martin Allen, Robin Jeffrey, Chris Lacey, Elspeth Cowey and Phil Hopkins
Directed by Janet Whitaker