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Mon 25 Jun 2007

The Bacchae

In a new version by David Greig

From a literal translation by Ian Ruffell

A NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND AND EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL CO-PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE LYRIC, HAMMERSMITH

Directed by John Tiffany

Designed by Miriam Buether,

Music composition and direction by Tim Sutton

Associate Direction/Choreography by Steven Hoggett

Lighting Design by Colin Grenfell

Sound Design by Chris Shutt

The National Theatre of Scotland and Edinburgh International Festival are delighted to announce the full cast for The Bacchae. Dionysus will be played by Alan Cumming, Pentheus by Tony Curran, Agave by Paola Dionisotti, Cadmus by Ewan Hooper and Tiresias by Ralph Riach.

The Chorus will be played by Michelle Asante, Lynette Clark, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Maria Mantack, Gloria Onitiri, Denise Orita, Ann-Marie Roberts, Sandra Yaw, Jessica Williams and Emi Wokoma.

Tony Curran was last seen on the Scottish stage in 1994 in a season at The Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh. He won Best Actor at the British Independent Film Awards for his role in Andrea Arnold ‘s Red Road. Recent films include: Shuttle, Miami Vice and The Good German. Paola Dionisotti last appeared in Scotland in the role of Mrs Warren in Mrs Warren’s Profession at The Royal Lyceum. She won the Stage Award for Best Actress at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Best Actress at the Evening Standard Awards for her role in Further Than The Furthest Thing. Ralph Riach’s latest stage role was Talbot in the National Theatre of Scotland’s production of Mary Stuart. He has performed extensively on the Scottish stage including roles in Run for Your Wife, Lock Up Your Daughters, Dead Men and a Christmas Carol. Ewan Hooper has recently finished playing in The Tempest at The Royal Exchange. Other theatre productions include: Stuff Happens (Royal National Theatre), Afore Night Come (Young Vic) and The Weir (Royal Court National Tour)

One of the greatest of all Greek tragedies in the world premiere of a new adaptation by David Greig and the National Theatre of Scotland. Savage, comic and intensely lyrical, The Bacchae powerfully dramatises the conflict between the emotional and rational sides of the human psyche. The magnetic young Dionysus returns home with his cult of female followers to exact his revenge, unleashing the full force of female sexuality on the city.

With a powerful all-female chorus and choreography by Frantic Assembly’s Steven Hoggett, David Greig’s fresh interpretation is brought to the stage by National Theatre of Scotland’s celebrated director, John Tiffany (Black Watch).

The Bacchae marks the return of Alan Cumming to the Scottish stage for the first time in sixteen years. It is the second successive co-production between the Edinburgh International Festival and the National Theatre of Scotland.

ENDS

Edinburgh International Festival 2007

Sat 11 – Sat 18 August, 8.00pm (except Sun 12 August)

Wed 15 & Sat 18 August, 2.30pm

The King’s Theatre, Edinburgh

Tickets £8 - £30

Hub Tickets (0)131 473 2000/ Fax: +44 (0)131 473 2003

Hub Tickets, The Hub, Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NE, UK

online www.eif.co.uk

Please note there will also be a further event linked to these performances:

Conversation with Artists: Alan Cumming, David Greig & John Tiffany on Thursday 16 August at 4.30pm

The Bacchae transfers to The Lyric Hammersmith Wednesday 5 to Saturday 22 September 2007

0870 500 511

For further information please contact the Edinburgh International Festival press office on 0131 473 2020, press@eif.co.uk