National Theatre's Bacchae to reach North East students this November
Newcastle Theatre Royal partners with the National Theatre to bring its Nationwide schools tour to young people across the region.
Rehearsals are underway for the National Theatre’s Nationwide schools tour of Bacchae, which will visit schools and colleges across the North East from 2 to 6 November in partnership with Newcastle Theatre Royal.
The production will be seen by students at Excelsior Academy, Newcastle College, Gateshead College, Portland High School and schools within River Tees Multi Academy Trust (RTMAT), bringing a new adaptation of Euripides’ ancient Greek tragedy directly into educational settings.
The North East dates for part of an eight-week national tour, which will reach 7,000 young students from more than 60 schools and colleges in England, working with regional theatre partners including Newcastle Theatre Royal.
Following Bacchae’s debut at the National Theatre as part of Indhu Rubasingham’s inaugural season, writer Nima Taleghani joins director Hannah Hauer-King to create an adapted version of the 2025 main stage play in a new production, specially made for schools.
This exciting new version brings the ancient Greek tragedy to life through rhythm, movement and music, exploring questions of power, identity, belonging and what happens when established ideas are challenged.
The cast includes Senam Akpokavi, Jessica Alade, Ross Foley, Daniel Forbes, Aminita Francis, Emma Manton, Lily Olufemi-Bywaters, Daniel Regan, Premi Tamang and Benjamin Wilson.
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.
Nima Teleghani added, "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."
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.
Hannah Hauer-King added, "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."
In addition to seeing the show in their school hall, students will take part in interactive workshops exploring stage design and theatre-making skills. Alumni from the National Theatre’s Introduction to Stage Management and Young Technicians initiatives will take on placements to support the tour, putting into practise the technical skills they have learnt through the programmes.
Our partnership with the National Theatre through its Nationwide programme builds on Newcastle Theatre Royal’s role as a cultural hub for the North East, bringing outstanding theatre directly into schools across the region.
Helen Milner added, "It will give more young people the opportunity to experience world-class productions, take part in creative learning and discover more about theatre-making, ensuring students across our region can share in the benefits.”
The artistic team also 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 for Rc Annie Ltd and casting by Martin Poile CDG.
The Newcastle Theatre Royal dates form part of the national tour, which also visits Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury; Norwich Theatre; Birmingham Hippodrome; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry; Theatre Royal, Nottingham; Leicester Curve; The Lowry; and Sheffield Theatres.
