The National Theatre has released rehearsal images for the schools tour of Bacchae, a new production created specifically for secondary schools and colleges following the play’s debut as part of Indhu Rubasingham’s inaugural season.
Writer Nima Taleghani has reunited with director Hannah Hauer-King to adapt the 2025 main stage production for a nationwide eight-week tour, combining rhythm, movement and music to bring the ancient Greek tragedy to life for a new generation of audiences.
Produced in partnership with regional theatres, the tour will visit schools across England, reaching students from more than 60 schools and colleges between September and November 2026.
The production will work alongside theatre partners including Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, Norwich Theatre, Birmingham Hippodrome, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Theatre Royal Nottingham, Leicester Curve, Lowry in Salford and Sheffield Theatres.
The cast features Senam Akpokavi, Jessica Alade, Ross Foley, Daniel Forbes, Aminita Francis, Emma Manton, Lily Olufemi-Bywaters, Daniel Regan, Premi Tamang and Benjamin Wilson.
Writer Nima Taleghani said, “When I first started writing Bacchae, I wanted to make something that me and my friends from school would have enjoyed then and would enjoy now. Something that we would find challenging and tough and tricky then and that we would find challenging now, but in a totally different way. I never felt theatre needed to differentiate so heavily between work for young people and adults, low brow and high brow, accessible and elite. I always wanted to make something for community, that reflected reality, something grassroots and authentic: Bacchae Schools Tour is the play finally coming HOME”.
Director Hannah Hauer-King said, “Bacchae is a piece that encourages audiences to be suspicious of polarities, to embrace those that may appear different to us, and to question those who impose power. Nima Taleghani’s brilliant adaptation shines a contemporary light on these themes, giving particular focus to the desire of everyone, even a God, to feel like they belong. It feels like the perfect show to take into schools. Not only speaking to issues that impact young people today, but also through a classic text that may otherwise seem inaccessible or ‘not for them’. I can’t wait to see it reach an audience that otherwise may not have access to the National Theatre, and that will hopefully encourage young people to believe that they have a future watching or making theatre, should they want it.”
Alongside performances in school halls, students will take part in interactive workshops exploring stage design and theatre-making skills. The tour will also provide placement opportunities for alumni of the National Theatre’s Introduction to Stage Management and Young Technicians programmes.
The creative team includes set and costume designer Natalie Johnson, lighting designer Bethany Gupwell, sound designer and composer Annie May Fletcher, movement director Kendra Horsburgh, dramaturg Jeanie O’Hare, associate director Callum Berridge, fight director Claire Llewellyn and casting director Martin Poile CDG.
Public performances of Bacchae will take place at Lowry, Salford on 20 and 21 November 2026 as part of the tour.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
