Lavastus ''Bakhandid''

εὐοῖ εὐοῖ εὐοῖ

Io! Hear me, hear me as I call you.

Io! Bacchae! Io Bacchae!

Io! Io! I’m calling out again—

the son of Semele, a child of Zeus!

*"Bacchae", translated by Ian Johnston

Pentheus, King of Thebes, refuses to believe that his nephew Dionysus is born of Zeus and tries to destroy the god of wine's cult. In response, Dionysus captures the minds of the Theban women, who leave their homes for the bacchanal. A brutal, orgiastic celebration ensues, destined to reach a tragic conclusion. The directors explore the climax of escapism in a society of vertical power relations: if in ancient Greece the cult leader Dionysus offered the necessary escape from reality, who/what replaces the god of wine now?

Directors: Elina Masing, Liisbeth Horn

Performers: Elina Masing, Liisbeth Horn, students of the Performing Arts Department of Tartu University Viljandi Culture Academy Aleks Mathias Viidik, Elina Soosaar, Getriin Kotsar, Gretten Vaga, Isabel Laiapea, Kärt Kokkota, Kristin Kalam, Keiti Leon, Oskar Viirand, Pamela Ebber, Ria Ranniku, Tuuli Torop

Original author: Euripides

Translation: Anne Lill

Creative producer: Greeta Võsu

Production assistent: Gertrud Soone

Dramaturge: Hendrik Kaljujärv

Stage and costume design: Pire Sova

Sound design: Kenn-Eerik Kannike

Sound Technician: Laura Sinimäe

Lighting design: Karmi Pikkma

Partners: TARTU 2024, Aparaaditehas, University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy Supported by: Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Cruffin Croissanterie, Cafe Puhvet, Kanarbiku Winery

The performance is in Estonian, with access to a written English translation.

Limited access for people with reduced mobility: the Gutenberg Hall is located on the 4th floor and is accessible only by stairs.

Please note: Not recommended for under 16s. The production uses a smoke machine.

Theatre production "The Bacchae" is part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 main programme. The European Capital of Culture is supported by A. Le Coq, Delfi Media, Topauto and Lux Express.