Unicorn Theatre Brings Icarus To 21st Century London

Icarus, Unicorn Theatre ★★★☆☆

By Alice Grahame Last edited 61 months ago

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Unicorn Theatre Brings Icarus To 21st Century London Icarus, Unicorn Theatre 3

The Unicorn’s latest show embellishes the ancient tale of Icarus — the boy who flew too close to the sun — and gives it a modern twist. Icarus is a regular London teenager. Feeling misunderstood, he goes in search of his father, Dedalus, who has gone missing while working on a mysterious construction job for King Minos of Crete. Icarus must use his intelligence to navigate a tricky labyrinth, free a rather cute half-man half-bull Minotaur and unite his family.

Photo: Camilla Greenwell

This version was originally written in German, and the writers have injected genuine warmth and updated family dynamics into the legend.  Marshall Defender Nyanhete is an energetic and sensitive Icarus and Rayxia Oho is a confident sister and princess.

Photo: Camilla Greenwell

Despite being based on a 2000-year-old-classic, the production feels up to date. This modernity is enhanced by Lucy Sierra’s vast brutalist set and Ziggy Jacobs-Wyburn’s stark geometric LED strip lights. At just over an hour long, the show holds the young audience spellbound. It is a great introduction to the world of Greek mythology with the added sparkle and human interest that a young audience expects.

Icarus, Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, SE1 2HZ. Tickets &nbsp £8-£20, until 10 March 2019.

Last Updated 11 February 2019