Greek tragedy bang up to date

AERIAL theatre is something of a newcomer to the main stage at the Lawrence Batley Theatre.

But Ockham’s Razor and solo performer Matilda Leyser, both seen at the theatre in recent months, have convinced many of the power of this highly skilled performance style.

Good to see then that LBT artistic director Victoria Firth has included another aerial company in her current season.

On offer next Thursday is Bacchic, a gravity-defying one-woman show which brings Greek tragedy bang up to date.

Inspired by Euripides’ masterpiece The Bacchae this show wowed audiences at last year’s Edinburgh Festival and got the critics excited as well.

Here, the company Actors of Dionysus have developed an exciting new piece using aerial theatre, music and movement to tell the story of an epic battle between ecstasy and restraint as a demi-god falls from grace.

The internationally renowned AOD have spent more than a decade specialising in accessible and modern adaptations of ancient Greek tragedies. This new work takes as its inspiration the classic story of The Bacchae and re-invents it as visually arresting and compelling aerial theatre.

This new show takes its inspiration from the classics but provides a contemporary edge thanks to its use of compelling aerial theatre.

The piece explores the conflict between a modern day guru and a staunch sceptic.

There are protesting followers and riots that climax between the two opposing forces, with brutal and tragic consequences.