GIVEN all the election talk about immigrants and asylum seekers, David Farr's modern retelling of Homer's story could hardly be more topical. We first encounter Robert Bowman's Greek warrior Odysseus washed up on a strange shore and hauled off for interrogation by immigration officers. They're taken aback when he insists that he isn't seeking shelter and that his only aim is to return home. Years later, he's still trying to get there, his journey delayed by encounters with such inconveniences as the Cyclops, the Lotus Eaters and a seductive sorceress.

The production is played in the round and there are generous helpings of song and dance. It's as far removed from the usual Greek epic as you can imagine. Angela Davies's set is full of hidden tricks and traps, capable of transforming swiftly into anything from a ship to a palace. The cast of six, plus musician Peter Troake, take on a multitude of roles. This freewheeling style has been compared to Kneehigh Theatre's inventive way of doing things, although this co-production between West Yorkshire Playhouse and Bristol Old Vic doesn't quite reach the giddy heights of theatricality achieved by that company. Some parts work better than others, although the players throw themselves into their multiple tasks with enthusiasm. And anything that makes Greek mythology more accessible is most welcome.

* Runs until May 7. Tickets 0113-213 7700.

Published: 15/04/2005