When six men reunite in a pub to remember a fallen friend and relative, things start to head south very quickly and when a red weather warning hits they are forced to stay and deal with their issues face to face. The play expertly takes a look into men’s mental health and toxic masculinity and then there’s something about the Odyssey going on…
That last bit is where the problems lie, if you search up this show online you will find two completely different show descriptions: one about the play that is being staged and one describing the show as a Scottish retelling of The Cyclops and the Odyssey, what you end up with is a strange mix of both. The main plot is fantastic, and very much needed: a tale of grief, loss and the communicatory issues between men however it is randomly interjected by scenes from the cyclops including the flipping of a table, lighting changes, a few extra costume accessories and a jump into older language. I can only assume the team had changed their minds about what it is they wanted to perform at the last minute and decided to blend the two ideas into one. The show also describes itself as a comedy however the drama does take precedent, and it may be better described as a dark comedy.
The acting in this show is incredible with each actor playing his role with great skill, the setting of the play within a pub really allows us to feel like we are truly watching a group of lads sat for a drink. The emotional range exhibited is impressive and we are taken on a real emotional journey with these characters as small talk, turns to accusations and then talk of suicide. Even the acting within the Odyssey scenes is very well done, it’s just a shame it feels so out of place.
Overall, the show in itself is fantastic and If I was able to simply judge the show for its main plot it would be an easy 5 stars as the acting, ambiance and story line is engaging and very much important. Men’s mental health is a discussion that needs to be had, and theatre is in my opinion the perfect environment for that discussion to take place. This being said the clunky changes into the scenes of old do let the show down and take away from its coherency. Whilst very well acted in themselves they leave the audience more confused than anything else as we try to piece together subplots that don’t exist. I do think this show is worth adding to your Edinburgh Fringe schedule and I have an inkling that should the show go forward, it would most likely do so with a different title and the Odyssey sections removed.
The Cyclops runs at The Space@Symposium Hall Annexe until 23rd August (excluding 17th and 24th) 14:05. Buy tickets at The Cyclops | Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Reviewer: Beth Eltringham
Reviewed: 12th August 2025
North West End UK Rating: