The National Theatre of Scotland presents THE BACCHAE by Euripides, in a new version by David Greig, from a literal translation by Ian Ruffell.

The National Theatre of Scotland’s production of The Bacchae, which played to great acclaim and sell out houses in Scotland last year is coming back to Scotland and then onto New York in June and July 2008.

The production has been invited to play at the prestigious Lincoln Center Festival 08 in New York for 13 performances from 2 to 13 July 2008. Prior to the New York run, The Bacchae will play at His Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen for four performances from June 19 to 21 and also at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness for five performances from 25 to 28 June as part of a National Theatre of Scotland season in Inverness.

The Bacchae which premiered at the Edinburgh International Festival last year, brought Alan Cumming back to the Scottish stage for the first time in 16 years. Alan Cumming will reprise his role as the icon and hedonist god Dionysus alongside Paola Dionositti as Agave and Ewan Hooper as Cadmus. Joining the cast are Cal MacAninch as Pentheus and John Bett as Tiresias.

The Bacchae are: Sally Amaka Okafor, Sharon Duncan Brewster, Hazel Holder, Melissa Keyes, Lisa Davina Phillip, Sarah Quist, Ann-Marie Roberts, Jessika Williams and Emi Wokoma.

Visionary Director John Tiffany (Black Watch) has re-imagined Euripides’ ancient tragedy as a spectacularly bold, colourful piece of contemporary theatre. The language is modern, the action fast-moving and the themes of repression, sexuality and freedom of expression are as relevant today as ever. Alan Cumming gives an award-winning, tour-de-force central performance as Dionysus, the charismatic and dangerous god, accompanied by his chorus of Bacchae, a high-octane line-up of scarlet –clad, diva soul singers.

This is the third National Theatre of Scotland production to play in New York, following acclaimed runs of The Wolves in the Walls at The New Victory Theater and Black Watch at St Ann’s Warehouse in 2007. Black Watch is returning to New York to play again at St Ann’s Warehouse in October 2008.

In 2006, Alan appeared in Martin Sherman’s Bent in London’s West End and his other London roles include Hamlet at the Donmar Warehouse, Cabaret, La Bête, Conquest of the South Pole and seasons with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre. In the USA, he has appeared in several Broadway productions and his film roles include X Men 2, the Spy Kids trilogy, Eyes Wide Shut, Emma, Urbania, Nicholas Nickleby, Titus, Goldeneye and Circle of Friends. Cumming is currently starring as Trigorin in Chekhov’s The Seagull with Dianne Wiest at off-Broadway’s Classic Stage Company. His latest film as director and star is Suffering Man’s Charity, and he won an Independent Spirit Award last year for the film Sweet Land, which he produced and starred in.

John Bett (Tiresias) has appeared in Translations (Citizens’ Theatre, Glasgow), Love’s Labours Lost and Antony and Cleopatra (Shakespeare’s Globe), and Mrs. Warren’s Profession (Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh/Nottingham Playhouse), and has directed Oh What A Lovely War and The Silver Darlings (Citizens’ Theatre, Glasgow). On screen, he has been in My Life So Far, Shallow Grave, and Gregory’s Girl.

Cal MacAninch (Pentheus) has acted in A Whistle In The Dark, Hamlet, Oedipus Rex, Enrico Four, A Tale of Two Cities, Frankenstein, and ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore (Citizens’ Theatre, Glasgow), Under The Black Flag (Shakespeare’s Globe), and The Cherry Orchard (Dundee Rep Theatre). He is currently appearing in TV’s Holby Blue.


LISTINGS INFORMATION

Venue: His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen
Dates: Thurs 19 – Sat 21 June
Time: 7.30pm (Matinee: Sat, 2.30pm)
Tickets: £16.50 - £22.50
Box Office: 01224 641 122
Online: www.boxofficeaberdeen.com
In Person: Aberdeen Box Office at the Music Hall in Union Street or HMT Box Office in Rosemount Viaduct between 9.30am and 6pm Monday to Saturday (8pm on performance nights).

Venue: Eden Court Theatre, Inverness
Dates and Times: Wednesday 25 – Saturday 28 June at 8pm (Matinee: Sat 28 at 2pm)
Tickets: £21.00 – £23.00 / Concessions £20.00 / £18.00
Box Office: 01463 234 234

Festival: Lincoln Center Festival 08
Venue: The Rose Theater, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center,
60th St and Broadway
Dates and Times: 2 July - 13 July at 8pm (except Sundays 6 & 13 July at 3pm)
Matinees on July 5 & 12 at 2pm
Tickets: $35, 45, 60, 75, 90


The National Theatre of Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government.