Bacchae review – Indhu Rubasingham launches National Theatre tenure with new-gen rap tragedy

Olivier theatre, LondonThis eccentric take on Euripedes by Nima Taleghani is a striking yet often frustrating opening statementIt takes courage and some flamboyance to launch an inaugural programme as the National Theatre’s new director with a debut play in the venue’s grandest space. Indhu Rubasingham is throwing down the gauntlet by directing this mischievous and eccentric reworking of Greek tragedy.The actor turned writer Nima Taleghani’s contemporary take on Euripides, with swearing, sequins and rapped verse, poses a challenge to traditional NT audiences and the canon alike. The play voices its intent in one of many meta-theatrical messages: “Tonight the Artful Dodgers have taken over the Olivier.” Continue reading...

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