Drawing inspiration from the classic tragedy of Euripides, the
internationally acclaimed stage director and artist Elli Papakonstantinou depicts the myth of Dionysus through her own prism, in a hybrid theater performance that brings together ancient mythology and contemporary queer culture. The playwright takes delight in immersing herself in her plays, seeking new and redemptive narratives in classic myths and eternal existential questions. The Bacchae poses no exception, as Elli Papakonstantinou intertwines theater, dance, new media, original music with operatic elements and visual effects, creating a riveting and mystical ambiance that interacts with the audience.

The plot is set in a world governed by political correctness, full of
suffocating gender labels, while a meteor named Dionysus is about to hit and annihilate the planet. The overall premise alludes to the film
Melancholia by Lars Von Trier, with the difference that Dionysus, instead of wiping out Earth, triggers the fulfillment of the people’s innermost desires. Papakonstantinou delves into the legendary Greek
tragedy featuring Dionysus (god of wine and erotic pleasure), using it as a springboard to overcome all kinds of borders. The “alchemist of sounds”, composer and performer Ariah Lester, played a key role in the creation of this multilingual play ‒ English, French, Spanish and Greek are heard on stage. The on-stage surprise in store for the audience is no other than a seismograph that records all vibrations, both underground and coming from the dancers, transforming the stage into a musical instrument that echoes the “universe’s pulse”.

The play premiered at La Filature, Scène nationale de Mulhouse, in France and went on to be showcased, among others, in the Athens & Epidaurus Festival and the Romaeuropa Festival, as part of its European tour. The following stops in the play’s journey are: Espace des Arts, Scène Nationale Chalon-Sur-Saone, France (12-13/10/2023) and Teatro Nationale di Genova, Italy (10-11/11/2023).

More info at: https://elli.site/projects/bacchae/