The Almeida Theatre is today staging an epic reading of The Iliad in its entirety and, with readers including Simon Russell Beale and Lesley Manville, the Homer piece has become one of the UK’s top trending topics today on social media.
While a reading of a classic text that will take more than 12 hours to complete may seem an unlikely Twitter sensation, users have been taking to the platform to interact with the rare live streamed event and to share their appreciation for the incredible performances using the hashtag #Iliad
Completely brilliant day watching @AlmeidaTheatre ‘s #Iliad reading in the British Museum, whole family has found it addictive.
— kate frank (@katefrank) August 14, 2015
So cool! Watch a rare reading of The #Iliad w/ over 60 artists, live now! @IliadLive & @AlmeidaTheatre @ http://t.co/M1wlLQqtQ6 #ActorsLife
— Lillian Rodriguez (@Lillian4444) August 14, 2015
Completely brilliant day watching @AlmeidaTheatre ‘s #Iliad reading in the British Museum, whole family has found it addictive.
— Emma John (@em_john) August 14, 2015
Obviously Homer was pretty awesome but these actors are EPIC. Word Warriors! #Iliad
— Miriam Gillinson (@miriamgillinson) August 14, 2015
The theatre’s Artistic Director Rupert Goold and Robert Icke’s co-directed reading began in the British Museum’s imposing Great Court at 09:00, with Russell Beale the first Olivier Award winner of the total 13 today to take to the podium.
Simon Russell Beale has been reading for over 20 minutes now. This is magical. #Iliad #AlmeidaGreeks Thanks @AlmeidaTheatre
— Katri (@katri_leikola) August 14, 2015
@MrNickClark: Simon Russell Beale is first up at the British Museum/Almeida all day performance of The Illiad pic.twitter.com/4P82Gn6cWJ
— Nick Clark (@MrNickClark) August 14, 2015
Many of the stars to perform so far, which have also included forthcoming Medea-lead Kate Fleetwood, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory’s Jonathan Slinger and Beautiful – The Carole King Musical’s Katie Brayben, have also taken to Twitter to share their experience of the unique event.
Thank you for all the lovely tweets about the Iliad! It was really quite nerve wracking but what an experience. Amazing text/performers
— Katie Brayben (@trixiepig) August 14, 2015
#Iliad had a blast reading @britishmuseum very honoured to be part of an epic day @AlmeidaTheatre congrats to you all, thanks for having me
— kate fleetwood (@katefleetwood) August 14, 2015
The reading is set to continue for several more hours and will culminate with a ticketed performance at the Almeida Theatre from 20:00.
#Iliad live tweet still going strong via @IliadLive Bound to be even more entertaining as the night goes on. Be sure to follow them. #wry
— Almeida Theatre (@AlmeidaTheatre) August 14, 2015
Theatre fans who have missed today’s once in a lifetime event or for those already dreading the dramatic story’s end, the Almeida Theatre will be releasing exclusive Iliad podcasts and a behind the scenes film in the coming weeks.