Oh hey, yesterday I posted about the Iliad and Odysseia being read to a live audience and being broadcasted on the internet for all to see. This morning I found something else very interesting in the same line of thought: 'The SF Olympians Festival VI: Wine Dark Sea'.


SFGate reports that 'It may have started as a lark, but it’s become an annual institution. Founder Stuart Bousel unleashes the sixth San Francisco Olympians Festival, with staged readings of 30 plays and playlets by 31 writers spread over 12 days.'

Evenings of short pieces alternate with full-length plays, each performed by local actors and staged by professional directors. Every work is inspired by some element of ancient Hellenic mythology. This year’s theme is 'Wine Dark Sea', and the topics range from sea nymphs and a pirate queen (Thursday, Nov. 5) to the great God Poseidon himself (Saturday, Nov. 7). Friday’s offering is a modern take on Nereus and Proteus in Colin Johnson’s 'No Closer Than the Bone'. The second week turns its lens on the Argonauts, Orpheus and Medea.

Since 2010 the festival has featured the work of 78 Writers, 57 Directors, 290 Actors, and 34 Fine Artists! This year the festival debuts 30 new plays by 31 local writers–10 of whom arecontributing written work to the festival for the first time. The plays range from shorts to one-acts to full-lengths, and each one explores a different aquatic legend or God from Hellenic mythology. Each night will also feature a monologue written by festival founder, Stuart Bousel, and performed by actress Allison Page, under the direction of Ariel Craft.

The 2015 festival will play 12 nights, November 4-21, Wednesday through Saturday, at the EXIT Theatre in San Francisco (156 Eddy Street). Tickets are $10.00 at the door, and can be purchased starting at 7:30 the night of the show, or in advance for $12 at Brown Paper Tickets:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2194756.  Go here for the official website.

All shows begin at 8 PM. Audience members who attend more than four nights get the fifth free. I really wish I could go, but for those who make it out, enjoy!