The Bacchae
A god who doesn't fit in.
A woman barely holding on.
A king who refuses to dance.
What happens when they all let go?
THE BACCHAE premiered in 2023, and toured widely across Scotland over 2025-26, with over 40 performances including a full run at the Edinburgh Fringe. THE BACCHAE will now embark on an England-wide tour in Spring 2027.
An invocation. A celebration. A sacrifice.
An outcast god. A powerless king. A mother who kills her only son.
Glasgow's acclaimed Company of Wolves present an earth-shattering solo retelling of the myth of Dionysos: an epic of rejection, vengeance and rebirth told through story, dance and ancient song.
Written and performed by Ewan Downie, The Bacchae blurs the lines between binaries: human and animal, male and female, victim and perpetrator, and takes us on a transformative journey from repression and denial to renewal and release. A hymn of rebirth for our shattered selves.
The playtext for The Bacchae is on sale through Playwright's Studio Scotland, here.
PERFORMANCE DATES
Omnibus Theatre, London
ON SALE SOON
Omnibus Theatre, London
ON SALE SOON
Omnibus Theatre, London
ON SALE SOON
Omnibus Theatre, London
ON SALE SOON
Omnibus Theatre, London
ON SALE SOON
The Garage, Norwich
ON SALE SOON
Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham
ON SALE SOON
Slung Low, The Warehouse in Holbeck, Leeds
ON SALE SOON
Reviews
“ truly sensational
“ richly, writhingly poetic ... an impressively physical performance
“ A stripped back, lyrical retelling ... a thing of beauty
“ “the beauty of the lyricism ... an impressive piece of work”
“ Ewan Downie channels Dionysos with a raw, ritualistic intensity ... It’s fearless.
“ gripping
Gallery
Trailer
Credits
Supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland