The National Theatre is excited to announce the opening of a new free exhibition titled The Greeks: Radical Reinvention, beginning September 9 in the Wolfson Gallery. This exhibition will delve into the theatre’s history of reinterpreting ancient Greek tragedies and will align with the premiere of Bacchae, the first production under the direction of Indhu Rubasingham.
Ancient Greek theatre remains relevant to modern audiences as it grapples with enduring themes of morality, justice, and the complexities of the human mind. The exhibition will spotlight the National Theatre’s commitment to these timeless issues by concentrating on four essential aspects of ancient drama: sound, space, dance, and community.
The Greeks: Radical Reinvention will provide visitors with an insider’s view of iconic National Theatre productions, such as Paradise (2021), Medea (2014), and The Oresteia (1981). Attendees can explore a variety of archival materials, including costume designs, model boxes, rehearsal footage, and audio stations featuring performances and music.
Curated by Dr. Lucy Jackson from Durham University, the exhibition aims to demonstrate how ancient plays can still probe “really pointed questions about the way we live today.” Dr. Jackson notes that the exhibition will take audiences behind the scenes of the creative process, examining “how innovative and bold one can be in creating a new interpretation of a Greek tragedy while honoring its original spirit.”
The exhibition is free and will be open until early 2026. For those unable to visit in person, a digital version will be available through the Bloomberg Connects app, which includes several accessibility features.
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