In Ancient Greece, there was a long tradition of the festival of Lenaia, where in amongst the drinking and dancing there was a competition for the best new plays - all in the name of Dionysus, the god of wine and theatre.
So join us in the Studio this January as we revive the custom in our own way with a double-bill of modern reinterpretations of the classic myths:
In Odyssey Interrupted, a modern-day troupe grapples with trying to make the epic tale feel relevant (and brief enough) for our own time. Along their journey, they encounter Cyclops, Sirens, jealousy, lust, and even the odd friend they meet along the way…
?
And in Orphea in the Underworld, where Spirituality and technology, grief and hope collide in this tragi-comedy based on the story of Orpheus and Euridice. Until a few weeks ago, Orphea thought her biggest quandary was how to organise the seating plan for her upcoming wedding with Ewan. Now, things have become much more complicated. She’s going to have to get used to a future that is far different from the one she had planned, for a start. And her mum keeps on trying to help… which doesn’t help. Oh, and her smart speaker is acting…strangely.
Classical theatre, of course, was split into Comedy and Tragedy. But rest assured, we shall be serving up a comedy tonight - Dionysus would surely approve…!
