The Bacchae | Perform Czech

The young god Dionysus arrives in Thebes to initiate the city inhabitants into his cult. His behaviour infuriates King Pentheus of Thebes, who confronts the stranger.

“A report on the biggest party of all time taking place somewhere nearby.”

The young god Dionysus arrives in Thebes to initiate the city’s inhabitants into his cult. His passionate female followers, the Bacchae, revel in a strange ritual, indulging in orgies and falling into a state akin to madness. Their behaviour infuriates King Pentheus of Thebes, who confronts the stranger. Unfortunately, he has no inkling who his rival is, ignoring those around him who advise him to show humility. The arrival of a new god may not necessarily spell salvation, but it does signal the accession of a new order. Who’s right? Pentheus, who refuses to understand the impending change and strives to keep a firm grasp on the world, or Dionysus, the rabble-rouser? Perhaps equilibrium can never hold sway without chaos.

Our production of The Bacchae by Euripides foregrounds the themes of humility, revenge, mass hysteria and travesty, focusing on the conflict arising in individuals and entire communities as a result of the repudiation of religion. The production raises timeless questions. Though we consider ourselves atheists, we harbour faith at the bottom of our hearts and transcendence is still present today, a dimension of life that is impossible to define, but which must be lived.

About the company

The National Theatre Drama is the biggest company of its ilk in the Czech Republic. We strive to include works of the classical and contemporary Czech and international repertoire as well as original projects and Czech premieres in our programming. The productions are visually compelling and exquisitely staged. Our company prepares five to eight new productions a year, while also pursuing a host of accompanying activities, debates and educational programmes.