It takes a long time to work your way through Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey – although not quite as long as the ten years it takes its hero, Odysseus, to find his way back to Ithaca after the Trojan War.
But the journey seems a little more achievable when helped along by some famous Melburnians, who'll be reading a new translation of the poem across 12 hours at the MPavilion in Queen Victoria Gardens. The line-up of 24 readers assembled by Stork Theatre includes Magda Szubanski, Sigrid Thornton, Jack Charles and Kate Kendall. Each will read one chapter over the course of the day, delving into a world of warriors, ogres, lovers and a large wooden horse that was much more than it seemed.
They'll be performing the first ever English translation written by a woman. Professor Emily Wilson's version challenges the sexism within the poem and gives greater agency to the female characters.
The event is free and you're welcome to bring along a picnic and drop in and out as you please. The schedule is as follows:
Part 1: The Hero’s Son featuring Helen of Troy (11am) Read by Magda Szubanski, Neil Morris and others
Part 2: Enter Odysseus featuring Athena and Calypso (1pm) Read by Caroline Lee, Richard Piper and others
Part 3: The Adventures featuring the Cyclops, Sirens, lotus eaters and Circe (3pm) Read by Dimity Shepherd, Neil Pigot and others
Part 4: The Homecoming featuring Odysseus’ reunion with his son Telemachus (5pm) Read by Jack Charles, Sigrid Thornton and others
Part 5: The Hero’s Wife featuring Penelope (7pm) Read by Sigrid Thornton, Melodie Reynolds and others
Part 6: The Return of the King featuring the archery contest, the slaughter of the suitors and the bed test (9pm) Read by Kate Kendall, Marco Chiappi and others