A is for art(ifacts): It’s such a good story it’s survived 24 centuries and become shorthand for being a phoney bastard, but did the Trojan Horse or even the war that it ended ever actually exist, or is it all a load of Aeneas? This impressively enormous exhibition delves into the history – both real and made up – of the site now known as Hisarlik, Turkey, assembling ancient art that supports Troy’s legends and Victorian archeological finds that reveal its realities, while a collection of more recent artworks shine a modern spotlight on Homer’s more problematic themes.
B is for buy stuff: Because the exhibition shop is amazing and you’ll want to bag some merch, be it a packet of authentic Greek-made baklava or a bottle of leave-in Homer beard oil. As far as the kids’ offer goes my must-haves include a Legend of Troy sticker book featuring a press-out Trojan Horse, a wooden pull-along Trojan Horse and a Trojan Horse-shaped rubber. I’m basically all about that horse.
C is for children’s events: It might not be the most child-friendly exhibition ever curated but it’s complemented by a programme of not one, not two but three completely free under-5s events, from a crafty workshop involving pottery to a digital discovery session in one of the museum’s ancient Greek galleries and even an Exhibition Explorers special that grants parents and their under-5s free access to the exhibition, with a series of activity stations where little ones can get stuck into themed crafts and sensory tasks.
Tickets: A standard adult ticket costs £20-22, depending on the day. Under-16s go free.
Verdict: There’s so much to see it’s hard to get round it all in one viewing, and basically impossible once you add kids into the equation. For maximum reading time with minimal spend I’d recommend a self-care solo view followed up with a baby-friendly Exhibition Explorer session to fill in the gaps. 4/5
Until 8th March 2020
Roro hangs out in front of the amazing wall mural at Troy: Myth and Reality at the British Museum.
bablands.com 