Burning Down the Horse

It could be said that this performance breaks the fourth wall. However, I would go one step further and say that there were never any walls to begin with (which is ironic considering the cast spend the full hour trapped and devising ways to escape the walls of the Trojan Horse).

The imagination is captured before the show even begins, with the audience being led into the theatre (/horse) by the toga-clad cast and invited to sit amongst the warriors themselves. So begins this hilariously written and fantastically performed play where reality is transcended, and all are joined together in the plight to take down Odysseus so the soldiers can return home to their chicken farms.

Despite their towering presence and glowering expressions, the warrior ensemble is soon revealed to be a loveable bandit of outcasts with endearingly corny, slapstick one-liners and a tangible chemistry. The show bears the hallmarks of a Grecian comedy, including the satire of authority and the charming fool, but achieves originality in its camp retelling of the Iliad. Simply put, Fishing 4 Chips’ performance is a delight that will be enjoyed by all who attend.

Edinburgh Festivals Magazine

If you haven’t heard of the Trojan Horse before then this will be an eye opening and hilarious introduction. As Greek leader Odysseus leads his men (and in this case women too) to war in a giant wooden horse the soldiers are starting to have second thoughts about how safe their plan is. They are also beginning to have doubts about their leader. Will the attack go to plan or is there a fair few limitations to storming a city in a giant flammable wooden horse?

Fishing4Chips have put together a brilliantly well-rounded historical comedy centering around the famous Greek mythology. This highly immersive show is sure to make you laugh as well as to incite the “power of the people” into you. We as an audience are the soldiers, we are being marched to battle and we are being yelled at to stay in line. When the ridiculousness of a plan to storm a city in a giant duck like horse is brought up, we start to see the confidence of our leader Odysseus crack and the delusions of a true unhinged figure of power show. If anyone wants to make it out of this horse alive an uprising is in order and Odysseus will not be a happy bunny.

The cast work together so incredibly well, bouncing off of one another to find that perfect balance of humour and story lead drive. Each odd ball character leaves their mark on the audience. We have: Acamus - the loyal 2nd in charge who struggles to accept that they are under appreciated and replaceable, Ajax - the beefy warrior with a secret, Epeius - a carpenter who just wants to leave, Echeon - the comedic relief without a single logical thought, and of course Odysseus himself who is loud proud and easy to dislike (I’m sorry EPIC fans).

The writing is fast paced, gets to the point quickly and very witty. Jokes are placed throughout; many of which a basic knowledge of Greek mythology and history may be useful for however there is humour suited to all, so it doesn’t matter so much if you don’t have any background knowledge. Every character gets their moment and tension is built but never overdone. There is also a sprinkling of meaning full messages about how we see of selves and those above us.

This show is a fantastic edition to anyone’s fringe’s fringe programme, although be warned Odyssey fans the play does stray a little from the original material. This is a heavy audience participation show so be prepared to step up and have fun. Overall, the show is brilliant, the cast are a superb and the use of space is perfect for its venue, you won’t find a single bad seat.

North West End UK

This new six-handed, family-friendly show from comedy company Fishing 4 Chips casts its audience as the ancient Greek army. It is the end of the Trojan War and Pleasance Beneath is not a theatre, but the inside of the giant wooden horse. We are not spectators, but soldiers waiting to be wheeled inside the city, where we will spring out and slaughter everyone we find for the glory of Greece.

Except, things do not quite go to plan. Echeon has forgotten his sword. Ajax the Great might not be all that great. Stowaway carpenter Epeius is stirring up rebellion. And Odysseus is a bit of a dick. Over one hour-long scene, Fishing 4 Chips imagine what might have happened inside the Trojan Horse, weaving in plenty of puns, audience participation, and mythological mirth along the way. It is good, infectious fun throughout.

Freddie Walker is priggish and pompous as the unbearable Odysseus and Sean Wareing is endearingly dopey as Echeon. It is tightly performed, the gag rate is high,and the whole thing offers an entertaining and inoffensive slice of lunchtime laughs.

The Scotsman