Värkse kraam Viljandist 2024 | Elina Masing & Liisbeth Horn "Bakhandid"

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The Bacchae

Io! Hear me, hear me as I call you.
Io! Bacchae! Io Bacchae!
Io! Io! I’m calling out again—
the son of Semele, a child of Zeus!
– Euripides, translated by Ian Johnston

"The Bacchae" is a production based on Euripides' tragedy about the clash between rationality and madness. Pentheus, King of Thebes, refuses to believe in the cult of his cousin Dionysus. In return, the god of wine takes the women of Thebes to Mount Cithaeron for a bacchanal that culminates in a tragic resolution. Directors Elina Masing and Liisbeth Horn explore the culmination of societal escapism: if Dionysus provided the necessary escape from reality in ancient Greece, who/what replaces the god of wine now?

Directors: Elina Masing and Liisbeth Horn
Performers: Elina Masing, Liisbeth Horn, University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy Performing Arts 3rd year students Aleks Mathias Viidik, Elina Soosaar, Getriin Kotsar, Gretten Vaga, Isabel Laiapea, Kärt Kokkota, Kristin Kalam, Keiti Leon, Oskar Viirand, Pamela Ebber, Ria Ranniku, Tuuli Torop
Original author: Euripides
Translation: Anne Lill
Creative producer: Greeta Võsu
Production assistent: Gertrud Soone
Dramaturge: Hendrik Kaljujärv
Stage and costume design: Pire Sova
Sound design: Kenn-Eerik Kannike
Sound Technician: Laura Sinimäe
Lighting design: Karmi Pikkma
Partners: TARTU 2024, Aparaaditehas, University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy
Supported by: Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Cruffin Croissanterie, Cafe Puhvet, Kanarbiku Winery
Length: 100 minutes

Elina Masing (b. 1997) and Liisbeth Horn (b. 1997) are graduates of the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy, majoring in choreography. Their earlier collaboration "Magical Metamorphosis" was part of the Tartu Interdistsiplinaar 2020 programme. Elina Masing is known as alternative music artist White Girl, whose debut album will be released this spring. She is also active as an actress, for example in the films "8 Views of Lake Biwa" and "Lioness". Liisbeth Horn's production "Reality Poets" premiered at Elekton Art Hall in autumn 2023. She was one of the leaders in the creation of the Sabotage Alliance.

The performance is in Estonian, with access to a written English translation.

Please note: Not recommended for under 16s. The production uses a smoke machine.

Theatre production "The Bacchae" is part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 main programme. The European Capital of Culture is supported by A. Le Coq, Delfi Media, Topauto and Lux Express.