Thomas Hellman brings ancient myths to life in Mythomane

Tashi Farmilo

At the Centre culturel du Vieux-Aylmer, the boundaries between theatre, music, and storytelling dissolve as Thomas Hellman’s new show, Mythomane, invites audiences on an extraordinary journey into the heart of Greek mythology. The evening promises not only a reimagining of ancient tales but an immersive experience that blends song, story, and reflection on humanity’s oldest questions.

Hellman, a multi-talented Québécois author, composer, and storyteller, has long been fascinated with the intersection of performance and the spoken word. In Mythomane, he takes this exploration further than ever before, transforming the stage into a living canvas where music, history, and myth converge. The production, which runs on February 7, at Cabaret La Basoche, captures the essence of ancient myths while making them relevant to the complexities of today’s world.

“The inspiration for Mythomane came very naturally,” Hellman recalls. “During the pandemic, I went on a canoe-camping trip with my daughter and her cousins. It rained almost the whole time, and so around the campfire, I began telling them Greek myths. I would punctuate the stories with folk songs passed down in my American family. The girls were fascinated, and I was too. It felt as though the myths came to life in the same way a folk song does.”

His performance method is deeply personal, intuitive, and captivating. Hellman’s transformation from musician to storyteller occurred organically, as the lines between the music and the narration blurred. “I became a storyteller without even realising it, but it was always a musical form of storytelling. The music speaks as much as the words themselves,” he says with a smile.

It was these informal sessions, sitting by the fire and weaving old tales into modern folk melodies, that ultimately sparked the idea for Mythomane. The production marks a significant step in his creative evolution, a shift towards something deeper and more immersive, combining elements of theatre, concert, and oral literature in a seamless performance. Hellman’s work, long praised for its innovation, is now at the intersection of multiple artistic expressions, where stories unfold through his guitar, his voice, and his presence.

The collaboration that brought Mythomane to life was no accident. Hellman worked closely with Michel Faubert, a celebrated musician and storyteller, who he describes as the ideal person to direct the show. “Michel is an artist I’ve admired for a long time,” Hellman says. “When I decided to turn the radio segment into a live show, I knew Michel was the one who could help bring the traditional Quebec storytelling into the mix. He is a master of intertwining these forms, and his contribution has been invaluable.”

Faubert’s direction has ensured the performance’s authenticity, particularly through the inclusion of archival materials that connect Quebec’s oral traditions to the ancient myths. Mythomane also features a soundscape composed by Olaf Gundel, a close collaborator of Hellman’s for over two decades. “Olaf and I have developed a musical chemistry that goes beyond accompaniment,” Hellman explains. “In this show, the music is as much a character as the stories themselves. It punctuates, complements, and deepens the meaning of the words.”

The thematic core of Mythomane is the exploration of creation—of the universe, of gods, and of humanity itself. For Hellman, the ancient Greek myths offer profound insights into the human condition, insights that resonate as much today as they did thousands of years ago. “These stories are profound and timeless,” he says. “In times of turmoil, when everything seems to be changing so rapidly, these ancient tales can offer guidance. They have a way of capturing universal truths about life and death, creation and destruction. And they are, at their core, stories meant to be told, shared, and remembered.”

The performance’s intimate setting at Cabaret La Basoche provides the perfect backdrop for such a journey. Hellman believes the small space invites a closer connection between the performers and the audience, creating a shared experience that blurs the boundaries between stage and spectators. “In Mythomane, we are not just telling stories—we are inviting the audience into a shared space of imagination,” he says. “The quiet, intimate setting of the Cabaret makes the stories even more magical. We get to travel back in time together, and it’s a truly immersive experience for everyone.”

As the world faces new challenges, Mythomane offers a moment to pause and reflect, to engage with the power of narrative and memory. For Hellman, this show is a celebration of human creativity—a return to the origins of storytelling and an acknowledgment of how far the art form has come. “These myths are like poetry,” he says. “They expand our view of reality, adding depth and nuance to our understanding of the world.”