Bakkhai – National Youth Theatre
As I walk into the theatre, there is a table where I can avail a free glass of wine. With a glass of wine in hand, most of the audience prepares for the arrival of the God. As they (Dionysos played by Jack d’Arcy) arrive, we go silent, and they take their seat among us in a chair “reserved for God”. On stage is a cubical locker, door ajar, light pouring out. A pomegranate lies by the door- that later gets ripped like a throat. A dress, handed to Pentheus by Agave is locked in it, out of fear of Kadmos and the guards. And only Dionysos can make Pentheus realize and proclaim, “It is valid, this thing we call Daemonic”.
Anne Carson, in her translator’s note, ponders:
Look at Pentheustwirling around in a dress,so pleased with his girl-guisehe’s almost in tears.Are we to believethis desi...