The Bakkhai
by Foot in the Door, University of Texas
Apr. 08 - Apr. 16, 2016
Fridays-Saturdays
Foot in the Door Theatre, a UT student organization housed in the Liberal Arts Honors program, presents Euripides’ The Bakkhai, translated by Anne Carson and co-sponsored by the UT Department of Classics.
“Here’s what you’ll need: fawnskin, thyrsos, absolute submission.” – 14
Pentheus, the young king of Thebes, has banned the wild ritual worship of the god Dionysos, a young “foreign” god (in fact, the son of Semele, princess of Thebes, and Zeus). Dionysos has traveled now to his mother’s city, retinue of maenads in tow, to establish his cult in Greece. When he meets resistance he drives the women of Thebes mad and sends them to the hills to partake in his worship. Meanwhile, in the city with his chorus of maenads, Dionysos takes on human form in an attempt to change Pentheus’ mind. The ensuing struggle between freedom and restraint, old and new, rational and irrational, foreign and Greek, man and god eventually leads to tragic death and devastation for the city.
Directed by Imogen Sealey; assistant directed by Haley Williams.
Anne Carson, a Canadian poet, classicist, and writer, modernizes her translation of Euripides' final surviving masterpiece. First performed in 2015 at the Almeida Theatre in London, Carson’s translation was met with applause; Dominic Cavendish from the Telegraph called it “playful, colloquial but rather knowing” in his review of the production.
Performances of The Bakkhai will take place outdoors; some blankets will be provided, but audience members are encouraged to bring their own blankets or lawn chairs. For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/467312426792813/ or contact Producer Kenneth Williams at kennethwilliams@utexas.edu.
The Bakkhai
by Euripides, translated by Anne Carson
Foot in the Door, University of Texas
April 08 - April 16, 2016
April 8, 9, 15, and 16, 2016 at 6 pm with additional 2 pm matinees on April 9 and 16
Calhoun Courtyard on the University of Texas at Austin campus.
Tickets are $5 for UT ID-holders and $10 for general admission.
Patrons can purchase tickets at the door (cash or check only) or email kennethwilliams@utexas.edu for reservations.
