I am on a roll with Greek tragedies at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the Wellington College Theatre Collective’s take on Euripides’ ‘The Bacchae’ is interesting. The company have loaded the play into a time machine and moved it into the 20th Century, 1920 to be exact. This play written by an Athenian playwright was set in Thebes, this remains the same, but we have a gender change, as the original play is based around Dionysus, a Greek god (also known as Bacchus to the Romans), of whom was originally a Thracian god, later adopted by the Greeks. This gender change makes Dionysus become Dionysa!
The basic storyline is that Dionysa (Cressida Massey-Cook), is a god, born from a union between her father Zeus and her mortal mother Semele. Dionysa is enraged, as there are gossip mongers in Thebes spreading a rumour that Dionysa is not a god, suggesting that her mother was pregnant not from her liaison with Zeus, but from a mortal man. Dionysa inhabits Thebes disguised as a mortal, ready to take revenge on its people. After crossing swords with Pentheus (Sam Gearing), who wants to set down laws to bring Thebes under control, Dionysa sets about manipulating him so that he will come under her control, and the city of Thebes will dance to her tune.
The spirit of the performance is delivered in dance and a dramatic script written by Sophie Laithwaite, also co-directs the play with Clare Anderson. The 1920’s is an excellent choice, as the music is uplifting, and the costumes designed by Jennie Douglas, are flamboyant, and match the theme of the play. The time travel works well, and the choreography has been well thought through. This is a young company, and they seem to enjoy the experience, and this comes through in their performances. Even though the gender and time period has changed, the well written script copes with this, and accompanied by all round good performances, the company can congratulate themselves on producing an excellent play. Dionysa herself (Massey-Cook), is a strong lead and carries off the role with confidence. This play only has a short run, but if you enjoy Greek tragedy, and wish to encourage a young theatre company, then this play is well worth a look.
The play runs until the 10th August 2024. Go to – https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/dionysa.
Reviewer: Caroline Worswick
Reviewed: 7th August 2024
North West End UK Rating: