The Bakkhai – Euripides – A new version by Anne Carson

Performed by Arcola Mental Health Community Company & directed by Aoife Beaumont and Josh Picton.

Madness or divine ecstasy? The Bakkhai is a gripping exploration of power, repression, and the fragile line between reason and chaos. As Dionysos descends upon Thebes, the city is consumed by a fever of liberation and destruction. At its heart, this ancient tragedy confronts modern struggles with identity, control, and mental health—examining how society treats those who refuse to conform. When the mind is pushed to its limits, will Thebes embrace the cure or succumb to the madness?

Content Warning: Depictions of violence 12+

Arcola Mental Health Community Company exists to create space for East London based adults to use theatre to tackle the stigma around mental health. This is an amateur production as part of Arcola’s Participation Festival. To hear more about how to get involved with Arcola Mental Health Community Company, click the google link below: https://forms.gle/1P7Js3yFoCpzuu2v8