BAKKHAI
Euripides
a new version by Anne Carson
directed by James Macdonald
23 July – 19 September 2015
Press Night 30 July, 7pm
Rehearsal images are released today for Bakkhai directed by James Macdonald, the second play in the Almeida Greeks Season.
Anne Carson’s new version of Euripides’ hedonistic, visceral tragedy echoes the original Ancient Greek performance model by using three actors and a chorus. Ben Whishaw makes his Almeida debut as Dionysos alongside Kevin Harvey and Bertie Carvel who returns to the Almeida as Pentheus. The Bakkhai include Amiera Darwish, Aruhan Galieva, Eugenia Georgieva, Kaisa Hammarlund, Helen Hobson, Hazel Holder, Melanie La Barrie, Elinor Lawless, Catherine May and Belinda Sykes.
Pentheus has banned the wild, ritualistic worship of the god Dionysos. A stranger arrives to persuade him to change his mind. Euripides’ electrifying tragedy is a struggle to the death between freedom and restraint, the rational and the irrational, man and god.
Design is by Antony McDonald, with light by Peter Mumford, sound by Paul Arditti, composition byOrlando Gough and musical direction by Lindy Tennent-Brown. Choreography is by Jonathan Burrowsand Gillie Kleiman. Casting is by Anne McNulty CDG.
Alongside the main stage productions of Oresteia, Bakkhai and Medea, the Almeida will be hosting a festival of work including performances, events, talks and readings throughout the Almeida Greeks season. An array of contemporary artists will interrogate the Ancient Greek canon inspired by the ancient Festivals of Dionysos.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Access Audio Described performance by VocalEyes Saturday 5 September at 3pm, Touch Tour 1.15pm and Friday 11 September at 8pm, Touch Tour 6.30pm
Captioned performance Friday 4 September at 8pm
Address Almeida Theatre, Almeida Street, London, N1 1TA
Café Bar The Almeida Café Bar is open from 11.30am -11pm, Monday to Saturday
Box Office Phone 020 7359 4404 (10am – 8pm Monday to Saturday)
Online almeida.co.uk/bakkhai
In person 10am – 7pm, Monday to Saturday
Prices £10 – £38, concessions available
Preview prices £10 – £30
Islington First* (if you live or work in Islington) £23, 23 July – 1 August
Under 30s* £19 available for every Monday of the run
Day seats (2 per person) will go on sale at 11am on day of performance, in
person from Box Office for all performances from 31 July
*Conditions apply – check website for details
Performances Monday – Saturday at 8pm
Saturday matinees at 3pm from 1 August
Wednesday matinees at 3pm from 5 August – 9 September
Talkback Post-show discussion with members of the Bakkhai company
Tuesday 18 August
Free to same-day ticket holders
Website almeida.co.uk/bakkhai