
The Suppliant Women
The Suppliant Women by Aeschylus
in a new version by David Greig
directed by Ramin Gray
composer and musical director John Browne
“If we help, we invite trouble. If we don’t, we invite shame.”
Fifty women leave everything behind to board a boat in North Africa and flee across the Mediterranean. They are escaping forced marriage in their homeland, hoping for protection and assistance, seeking asylum in Greece.
Written 2,500 years ago by the great playwright Aeschylus, The Suppliant Women is one of the world’s oldest plays here in a new version by The Lyceum’s Artistic Director David Greig. At its heart are fifty young women in full chorus arguing for their lives, speaking to us through the ages with startling resonance for our times.
Re-uniting the creative team behind the acclaimed production The Events – The Guardian’s best play of 2013 – The Suppliant Women uses the techniques of Ancient Greek theatre – recruiting and training the citizens of Edinburgh to create an extraordinary theatrical event.
Part play, part ritual, part theatrical archaeology, it offers an electric connection to the deepest and most mysterious ideas of the humanity – who are we, where do we belong and if all goes wrong – who will take us in?
The Suppliant Women is a co-production with Actors Touring Company and will feature a chorus of young women from Edinburgh playing the title role.
Supported by The Binks Trust
#SuppliantWomen | #Lyceum1617
- Season Ticket Production.
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Cast and Credits
CREATIVE TEAM
Director Ramin Gray
Writer David Greig
Composer John Browne
Choreographer Sasha Milavic Davies
Designer Lizzie Clachan
Lighting Designer Charles Balfour
Vocal Leader Stephen Deazley
Assistant Director Alexander Raptotasios
CAST
Danaos/Egytian Herald Omar Ebrahim
The King Oscar Batterham
Choir Leader Gemma May
Percusssionist Ben Burton
Aulos Player Callum Armstrong
Aulos Player Barnaby Brown
COMMUNITY CHORUS
The Suppliant Women
Hannah Abouzahrah, Rosie Al-Mulla, Tricia Brown, Noemie Colin, Emily Copas, Diane Craig, Lucy Davidson, Lucy Dewar, Ellie Duncan, Mari Evans, Heidi Fairgrieve, Laura Gentile, Susan Hirst, Fiona Howe, Charlotte Laidig, Maxine Latinis, Hannah Lomas, Anna Mackean, Lowri Mathias, Melissa McDonald, Ruth McLean, Elise Morrison, Jodie Murray, Melanie Nunhofer, Angelica Petherick, Chloe Robertson, Imogen Rowe, Catriona Salvini, Christina Semerey, Annie Spiers, Enya Steinemann, Kirsty Stembridge, Georgia Traquair-Stewart, Caitlin Turnbull, Elsa Van der Wal, Anya Vitaliev, Eve Whitson.
The Wise Women
Margaret Crisp, Solange Evrard, Lorna Hoy, Nicola Jayne, Jackie Keay, Wendy Mathison, Christina Outram, Kathanne Proudfoot, Kathy Rocks, Helen Sinclair, Julie Smith, Janet Stevenson, Heather Stirling, Jean Wight.
The King’s Soldiers
Alexander Bowen, Seth Ewin, Joe Kinnear, James Millar, Joseph Redpath, John Spilsbury.
Video
Dates, Times & Prices
1 - 15 October 2016
PREVIEWS, 7:30pm
1 & 3 October | £10 Preview tickets on sale here
EVENINGS, 7:30pm
Tuesday - Saturday
MATINEES from 5 October, 2pm
Wednesdays and Saturdays
Running Time
1 hour and 30 minutes without an interval approx.
For Access Performances see below.
Prices
Season Tickets
Individual Tickets
EVENINGS
Tuesday - Saturday: £15.50 - £30.50
MATINEES
Wednesdays and Saturdays: £13.50 - £26
CONCESSIONS
Not available on Premium Seats, from £10.
PREVIEWS
Unreserved seating all tickets £10
Accessibility
AUDIO DESCRIBED
- Thursday 13 October - 7.30pm
Touch Tour - 6.15pm - Saturday 15 October - 2pm
Touch Tour - 12.45pm
BSL INTERPRETED
Wednesday 12 October - 7.30pm
CAPTIONED
Saturday 15 October - 2pm
Take Part
POST SHOW DISCUSSION
Tuesday 11 October 2016
FREE no ticket required
Takes place in the Stalls after the evening's performance.
Press Coverage
REVIEWS
Please note some publications make use of paywalls.
★★★★★
"an epic, feminist protest song"
- The Guardian
★★★★★
"This is an exhilarating show, rich with resonance and power. Rush to Edinburgh, the Athens of the North, to see it while you can."
- What's On Stage
★★★★
"wild, startling, beautiful, unforgettable"
- The Scotsman
★★★★
"among the strongest opening theatrical moments I’ve seen"
- The Telegraph
★★★★
"an ambitious and striking statement of intent."
- The Financial Times
★★★★
"a bold production"
- The Stage
★★★★
"a captivating show of strength"
- The Herald
★★★★
"Empowering and unmissable!"
- Edinburgh Guide
★★★★
"This is a riveting slice of theatre that deserves a wide audience. Go, enjoy. There may not be a show like this one for another two thousand, five hundred years."
- Bouquets & Brickbats
★★★★
"breathtaking"
- All Edinburgh Theatre