The National Theatre has released first-look images of Bacchae, a bold new version of Euripides’ tragedy by Heartstopper’s Nima Taleghani.
Currently playing in the Olivier Theatre until 1 November 2025, Bacchae marks the first time a debut play has been staged in this iconic space.
Directed by Indhu Rubasingham in her first production as Director of the National Theatre, Bacchae launches a new era for the venue with a production infused with anarchic energy, spoken word, and rhyme.
The cast includes Roman Asde (Alexis), Melanie-Joyce Bermudez (Serene), Ebony Clarke (Swing), Natasha Gooden (Tina), Elèna Gyasi (Niloo), Sam Jenkins-Shaw (Clitus), Reuben Johnson ((Bu)Bull), Kate Ivory Jordan (Xena), Tyreke Leslie (Leon), Natasha Magigi (Sunny), James McArdle (Pentheus), Arethajay McEwen (Mertha), Ellie McKay (Nava), Clare Perkins (Vida), Ukweli Roach (Dionysos), Anna Russell-Martin (Kera), Ellie-May Sheridan (Yunann), Fi Silverthorn (Ava), Sharon Small (Agave), Simon Startin (Tireseus), Jessey Stol (Rakhz), and Amanda Wilkin (Demi).
The production reimagines the Bacchae as a chorus of fierce, unstoppable women ready to shake Thebes to its core.
“These fangirls may be a pack, but they’re not animals… they are stage-storming powerhouses ready to cause chaos in Thebes,” reads the official description.
“Whilst the Bacchae maraud in the mountains, their god Dionysos is taking part in his own f*cked-up family Olympics. He’s here to bring down his cousin King Pentheus. All to prove to the chorus of women that he’s more than just the god of rhyme, wine and a good time.”
The creative team includes set and costume designer Robert Jones, choreographer Kate Prince, lighting designer Oliver Fenwick, composer DJ Walde, and sound designers Ben and Max Ringham.
Also on the team are fight director Kate Waters, casting directors Bryony Jarvis-Taylor CDG and Martin Poile CDG, voice and dialect coach Hazel Holder, associate director Hannah Hauer-King, associate set and costume designer Natalie Johnson, associate choreographer Ajani Johnson-Goffe, and dramaturg Jeanie O’Hare.
A press performance will take place on Wednesday 24 September 2025 at 7pm.
In addition to the Olivier run, Bacchae will be adapted by Taleghani for a UK-wide schools and colleges tour in Autumn 2026, directed by Hannah Hauer-King. This forms part of the National Theatre’s mission to reach every schoolchild in the UK before they leave school.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
