Manchester theatre produces ancient Greek play
The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, is currently producing one of the oldest plays in the world.
The Greek drama, The Suppliant Woman by Aeschylus, tells the story of a group of women fleeing from their African homeland and the country’s policy of forced marriage. They board a boat and escape to Greece to seek asylum and protection, leaving everything behind.
Re-imagined by writer David Greig especially for the Manchester audience, the 2,500-year-old drama explores issues such as migration, democracy, political power and gender politics. Issues which can be reflected today in contemporary society. The production has also had to be re-worked to accommodate The Royal Exchange’s unusual in-the-round performance space.
Performing with professional theatre stars Oscar Batterham, Omar Ebrahim and Gemma May Rees, the chorus is made up of 40 volunteers from across the Greater Manchester region. The production is accompanied by music from composer John Browne, and includes pieces for the ‘aulos’, an ancient Greek instrument which was probably used during the original production in Aeschylus’s time. This brings a unique mix of ancient sounds and contemporary musical composition.
The organisers may have used the services of a local print company for poster printing, and interested theatre-goers may want to look out for flyers and posters advertising the production which is due to run from 10th March until the 1st April.
The Greek drama, The Suppliant Woman by Aeschylus, tells the story of a group of women fleeing from their African homeland and the country’s policy of forced marriage. They board a boat and escape to Greece to seek asylum and protection, leaving everything behind.
Re-imagined by writer David Greig especially for the Manchester audience, the 2,500-year-old drama explores issues such as migration, democracy, political power and gender politics. Issues which can be reflected today in contemporary society. The production has also had to be re-worked to accommodate The Royal Exchange’s unusual in-the-round performance space.
Performing with professional theatre stars Oscar Batterham, Omar Ebrahim and Gemma May Rees, the chorus is made up of 40 volunteers from across the Greater Manchester region. The production is accompanied by music from composer John Browne, and includes pieces for the ‘aulos’, an ancient Greek instrument which was probably used during the original production in Aeschylus’s time. This brings a unique mix of ancient sounds and contemporary musical composition.
The organisers may have used the services of a local print company for poster printing, and interested theatre-goers may want to look out for flyers and posters advertising the production which is due to run from 10th March until the 1st April.