Odyssey ’84 Sherman Cymru : Review

As someone who’s been happily adopted into Valleys life—thanks to a cheeky kiss, a chicken off the floor,  chips with extra vinegar down Chippy Lane—what started as a one-night laugh has now grown into an eight-year relationship with a Valleys boy, Abercynon to be exact. 

In that time, I’ve heard countless stories about what life was like during the 1984 miners’ strike—stories passed down in pubs, and at family gatherings. While I wasn’t born yet, those tales have shaped my understanding of a time when the Valleys were unified in defiance and struggle. That’s why Odyssey ’84 at the Sherman Theatre hit so hard. 

Tim Price takes us back to one of the most defining moments in Welsh history: the miners’ strike that shook the nation and left an indelible mark on the South Wales Valleys. The story is centered on a married couple—John O’Donnel, played by the brilliant Rhodri Meilir, and his wife Penny, portrayed by the equally stunning Sara Gregory. Their lives are turned upside down by the strike, with John diving headfirst into the fight while Penny keeps the home fires burning and the community cared for.

Inspired by Homer’s Odyssey, this production cleverly weaves ancient epic with modern struggle, taking the audience on a journey that feels deeply personal yet undeniably universal. You feel the weight of every choice John makes as he’s pulled deeper into the battle, and you see Penny’s quiet strength as she balances her own frustrations with the duty of holding it all together. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s an intimate glimpse into what countless families went through during that turbulent time.

But here’s what really got me: the women. This play doesn’t shy away from showing the crucial role women played during the strike. They weren’t just waiting at home—they were organizing, feeding families, and keeping their communities alive. Seeing Penny’s character get the same narrative weight as John felt like a long-overdue recognition of their impact.

The production walks the line between light and dark so well. There are moments of gut-wrenching tension and heartbreaking loss, but then there’s laughter. Genuine, relatable humour that makes you love these characters even more. It reminds you that even in the toughest times, people find a way to laugh, to find joy, to keep going.

The staging is deceptively simple but packs a punch. The back wall moves in and out, creating a sense of suffocation during moments of high tension, and then relief when it shifts back. You don’t realise how much the physical space adds to the emotional experience until it’s happening. It’s one of those things that leaves a lasting impression long after you’ve left the theatre.

Before you even step into the auditorium, you’re surrounded by the history of the strike. The lobby is adorned with banners and posters from the time, and it sets the perfect tone. By the time the first scene begins, you’re already immersed in the world of 1984, and when it all comes full circle at the end—bringing the story back to the present day—you can’t help but reflect on the parallels to modern times.

Here we are, 40 years on, and Welsh communities are still pulling together in tough times, just like they did during the miners’ strike. The mines may be gone, but the challenges haven’t really disappeared. Whether it’s the cost of living crisis or the rise of food banks, job losses. Some people are still fighting to make ends meet. But in the Valleys, that fight has always had a unique sense of togetherness—it’s more than just community, it’s family. There’s something about the way people rally around each other there that feels different, like everyone’s got your back,oh and they knows your business. 

And I can’t talk about Odyssey ’84 without mentioning the absolutely banging playlist. ‘80s classics from The Jam to Bronski Beat filled the theatre, perfectly capturing the energy of the times. The music wasn’t just there for nostalgia—it reflected the mood on stage, setting the tone and shifting seamlessly as scenes flipped. It was like getting a taste of the era through both story and sound, and it made the experience all the more immersive.

Odyssey ’84 is more than a play about a strike. It’s about resilience, about standing up for what you believe in, and about the power of community. There’s a sadness to knowing how the strike ended, but there’s also an undeniable pride in how fiercely the miners—and their families—fought back. Even though the mines are long gone, the spirit of that fight lives on, and this production captures that beautifully.

If you’re in Cardiff, don’t miss this. It’s at the Sherman Theatre until 26 October 2024, and trust me—it’s the kind of show that sticks with you. You’ll leave with a heart full of empathy and an even deeper appreciation for the stories of the Valleys. It’s one of those rare productions that hits all the right notes, and you’ll be thinking about it long after the final curtain falls.

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