A fabulously entertaining new podcast about ancient Greece

How did a myth about the consequences of poor judgment become a parable for aspiration? The question is posed by the Greek writer-actor Alex Andreou in his fabulously entertaining new podcast. His topic is the ancient myth of Midas, king of Phrygia, who was granted his wish to have everything he touched turn to gold. Midas's new world was brilliant for all of five minutes. What is a man to do with piles of metal when every person he comes into contact with is reduced to the same?
The Midas myth has been mangled many times; Andreou recalls that Donald Trump co-authored a book in 2011 entitled Midas Touch in which he promised to reveal the secrets to entrepreneurial success. After much research, Andreou concludes that the story began to change from one of a tragicomic curse to a covetable superpower with the launch of HMS Pactolus in 1813 – the ship was named after the river in which the Anatolian king attempted to wash away his powers.
While the trailer to Podyssey suggests a slippery format, anticipating coverage of all things Greek from 'pathos' and 'hubris' to 'sour grapes', the focus so far has been on mythological characters. As well as Midas, the first four episodes have introduced Narcissus, Orpheus and Persephone. Andreou spends about 20 minutes retelling the stories of each before pulling the narratives apart to see how they have been romanticised or contorted down the centuries.
His interpretations are often unexpected. Orpheus was historically admired for his attempt to retrieve his wife Eurydice from the Underworld. Not so in Andreou's books. Did Eurydice even want to be rescued? A psychoanalyst interviewed for the series goes so far as to discern a 'coercive, controlling pattern of behaviour' in Orpheus and his fixation with his own pain.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

North Wales Chronicle

2 hours ago

• North Wales Chronicle

Mamma Mia! coming to Llandudno as extra dates announced

Mamma Mia! embarks on a new UK tour from October 24, and now further dates and venues have been announced - including Venue Cymru in Llandudno. The new dates and venues for 2026 are: Hull New Theatre (7 – 18 April), Venue Cymru, Llandudno (21–25 April), Blackpool Opera House (28 April –3 May), Birmingham Hippodrome (12–30 May), Hall for Cornwall, Truro (2 –13 June), Leeds Grand Theatre (16 – Sat 27 June), Norwich Theatre Royal (30 June –11 July), Eastbourne Congress Theatre (14 –19 July), Bournemouth Pavillion Theatre (28 July – 2 August), King's Theatre Glasgow (13 – 29 August 2026). Previously announced dates are: Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (24 October – 8 November 2025), Bristol Hippodrome (11 - 22 November 2025), New Theatre Oxford (25 November – 6 December 2025), Edinburgh Playhouse (9 December 2025 – 4 January 2026) Swansea Building Society Arena (13 January – 24 January 2026), His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen (27 January – 7 February 2026), Newcastle Theatre Royal (11 – 28 February 2026), Palace Theatre Manchester (3 – 21 March 2026), Curve, Leicester (24 - 29 March 2026). Mamma Mia! From West End to global phenomenon, Mamma Mia! is Judy Craymer's ingenious vision of staging the story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs with a sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads unfolding on a Greek island idyll. This irresistibly funny show has been thrilling audiences all around the world and now there's never been a better time to see this unforgettable musical. Now in its 26th year, the show has been seen by over 11 million people and has played over 10,000 performances in London's West End. The international tour has visited 42 countries in the past 20 years, performed more than 3,800 shows and has been seen by over 7.3 million people. Mamma Mia! Mamma Mia became the 9th longest running show in Broadway history where it played a record-breaking run for 14 years. In 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People's Republic of China. Produced by Judy Craymer, Mamma Mia! The Movie became the highest grossing live action musical film of all time upon its release in 2008. A second film, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!, opened in July 2018 and became the most successful live musical movie sequel of all time. Both films starred Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper, with Lily James, Andy Garcia and Cher joining them in the second film. With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, Mamma Mia! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch. Casting for the UK tour has yet to be confirmed.

Daily Mirror

6 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Andy Carroll and Lou Teasdale 'disappointed' after police called over row

Footballer, Andy Carroll, and his girlfriend, Lou Teasdale, admitted that the police were called after the couple had a 'heated discussion', which they say was 'blown out of proportion' Andy Carroll and his hair stylist girlfriend, Lou Teasdale, have admitted they were spoken to by police following a row between the couple on the Greek island of Mykonos. The pair, who have been dating since last year following the footballer's split with the mum of his three kids, Billi Mucklow, revealed they'd had a "heated discussion" while on the party island, but that things had been "blown out of proportion". Andy, 36, was reportedly questioned about a bust-up he'd had with Lou, 42, at a packed beachside restaurant and then at their hotel. One worker at the Nikolus Tavern said of the first argument: 'We recognised him as the footballer Andy Carroll immediately. He seemed very drunk and furious with his partner. He was using very bad words. It was improper behaviour. The woman looked very upset.' ‌ ‌ The Sun reports that police arrived and took the former West Ham ace, who was "very calm" to one side for a chat. He was later allowed to return to Lou, who is a well-known celebrity hairstylist. However, hours later police were reportedly called again by staff after reports of damage to the couple's room at a £500-a-night boutique hotel. Officers are said to have escorted Andy to a local station for questioning but no arrests were made. Another source claimed Lou did not stay with her boyfriend that night. They said: "After the restaurant episode, there was another incident at the hotel. This time, the footballer went to the police station. We know the woman stayed somewhere else that night.' Meanwhile, a British holidaymaker who reportedly spotted the pair while out for a stroll accused Andy of being "very drunk" adding that he shouted at Lou: "I'm done with us!" ‌ Responding to the reports, Andy and Lou admitted that the police were called following their "heated discussion", however they insisted things had been "blown out of proportion", issuing a joint statement, which read: "Whilst having a private dinner in a restaurant on a quiet holiday in Mykonos, we had a heated discussion of the sort that most couples have had on occasion. It quickly became apparent to the police that there was no reason for them to be there. 'We went outside the restaurant with them together as they insisted they wanted to 'look after' us. 'As far as we are concerned, the situation has been blown out of all proportion by an interested member of the public. No one was arrested, and no one was charged with anything. "We are very happy, in love and looking forward to our future together, and we are disappointed that a private disagreement has become a public matter.'

Scottish Sun

20 hours ago

• Scottish Sun

Billi Mucklow glams up for Towie wedding – while ex Andy Carroll is quizzed by police over girlfriend rows

LADY IN RED Billi Mucklow glams up for Towie wedding – while ex Andy Carroll is quizzed by police over girlfriend rows Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BILLI Mucklow looked sensational after glamming up for the wedding of her Towie pals Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallett. The former Towie star, 37, sizzled in a bright red off-the-shoulder gown with sweeping sheer skirt at the lavish nuptials. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 7 Billi Mucklow looked sensational at Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallett's wedding Credit: Instagram 7 She posed with her former Towie co-star Georgia at the wedding Credit: Instagram 7 Tommy and Georgia tied the knot for a second time in Mallorca Credit: Instagram 7 It came after Billi's ex Andy Carroll was quizzed by cops after a bust-up with Lou Teasdale Credit: instagram/andytcarroll Billi's frock had a sexy thigh-high split and she looked stunning while posing with other members of the wedding party and gorgeous bride Georgia. The pictures of Billi at Georgia and Tommy's second wedding, which was held in Mallorca, come after her ex Andy Carroll was quizzed by police. The Sun on Sunday has exclusively revealed how the ex-Premier League footballer was questioned over bust-ups with his girlfriend Lou Teasdale on the Greek party island Mykonos. Carroll and make-up artist to the stars Lou are said to have rowed at a packed beachside restaurant and then at their hotel. One worker at the Nikolus Tavern said of the first argument: 'We recognised him as the footballer Andy Carroll immediately. 'He seemed very drunk and furious with his partner. 'He was using very bad words. It was improper behaviour. The woman looked very upset.' Police arrived after the first incident and took the former Newcastle, Liverpool and West Ham ace to one side for a chat. He was later allowed to return to Lou. But just hours later, police were called again by alarmed staff after reports of damage to the couple's room at a £500-a-night boutique hotel. Andy Carroll quizzed by cops twice after bust-ups with girlfriend at packed restaurant and hotel during Greek holiday Officers are said to have escorted Carroll to a local station for questioning. He was not arrested and it is understood no further action was taken. A joint statement from Carroll and Lou said: 'Whilst having a private dinner in a restaurant on a quiet holiday in Mykonos, we had a heated discussion of the sort that most couples have had on occasion. It quickly became apparent to the police that there was no reason for them to be there. 'We went outside the restaurant with them together as they insisted they wanted to 'look after' us. 'As far as we are concerned, the situation has been blown out of all proportion by an interested member of the public. No one was arrested and no one was charged with anything. We are very happy, in love and looking forward to our future together and we are disappointed that a private disagreement has become a public matter.' The Mykonos hotel and police on the island declined to comment when contacted. Meanwhile, Billi touched down in Mallorca last week ahead of Georgia and Tommy's wedding. The mum-of-three, who also looks after Carroll's two eldest children from a previous relationship, looked incredible as she showed her ex what he is missing in a bikini. She has since shared a selection of photos from Georgia and Tommy's big day. They previously said 'I do' in 2023. Billi gushed: "Congratulations @georgiakousoulou & @iamtommyfordham. "The best day & night celebrating you both ❤️." Billi announced her split with Carroll in October last year. He confirmed his romance with Lou just weeks later. 7 Andy and Billi split in August last year after two rocky years of marriage Credit: Getty 7 The pair have three kids together and Andy has two children from a previous relationship Credit: Instagram