Full casting announced for Bacchae at the National Theatre

Complete casting has been revealed for the first-ever debut play to take to the National Theatre’s Olivier stage.

Nima Taleghani’s Bacchae was announced as part of a jam-packed inaugural season from director Indhu Rubasingham earlier in the year. You can read more about all of the shows included here.

Telling the story of the birth of Western drama and celebrating the god of theatre, audiences can look forward to spoken word and rhyme, with lyricism, music and movement. The modern retelling of an ancient Greek story will be performed in the amphitheatre of the Olivier.

It’ll be directed by Rubasingham alongside set and costume designer Robert Jones, choreographer Kate Prince, lighting designer Oliver Fenwick, composer DJ Walde, sound designers Ben and Max Ringham, fight director Kate Waters, casting directors Bryony Jarvis-Taylor and Martin Poile, voice and dialect coach Hazel Holder, associate director Hannah Hauer-King, associate set and costume designer Natalie Johnson, associate choreographer Ajani Johnson-Goffe and dramaturgy by Jeanie O’Hare.

Previously announced casting also includes Melanie-Joyce Bermudez, Ebony Clarke, Natasha Gooden, Sam Jenkins-Shaw, Kate Ivory Jordan, James McArdle, Arethajay McEwen, Clare Perkins, Ukweli Roach, Fi Silverthorn, Simon Startin and Jessey Stol.

They are joined by Roman Asde, Elèna Gyasi, Reuben Johnson, Tyreke Leslie, Natasha Magigi, Ellie McKay, Ellie-May Sheridan, Sharon Small, Anna Russell-Martin and Amanda Wilkin.

Rubasingham says she “can’t wait to get into the rehearsal room and create my first show as director of the National Theatre, beginning this new chapter.”

Discussing the production, she said: “Nima’s energetic retelling of Euripides’ ancient tragedy is an exhilarating debut play, that will fill the amphitheatre of the Olivier with spoken word and rhyme. Bacchae will be a riot of words, music and movement, designed by Robert Jones, choreographed by Kate Prince and with an original score by DJ Walde.

“I am proud to be directing such a wonderful company, which includes my longtime collaborator Clare Perkins as well as James McArdle, Ukweli Roach and Sharon Small. This spirit of reinvention and telling ancient stories with a modern voice has long been a part of the National Theatre and we look forward to welcoming audiences both old and new.”

Following its debut, Bacchae will be adapted by Taleghani to tour secondary schools and colleges around the country. The school’s production will be directed by Hauer-King, with casting and creatives to be announced.

Bacchae will also be filmed for a future release on National Theatre at Home.

It’ll play in the Olivier Theatre from 13 September to 1 November, with an opening set for 24 September.

Listen to a free exclusive WhatsOnStage Podcast about the season here: