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, this is one of the world’s oldest plays. At its heart are a chorus of young women arguing for their lives, speaking to us through the ages with startling resonance for our times.
An extraordinary theatrical event, which opened in Edinburgh to great critical acclaim, this show will be reinterpreted for the unique Royal Exchange space. Part play, part ritual, part theatrical archaeology, it offers an electric connection to the deepest and most mysterious ideas of humanity - who are we, where do we belong and if all goes wrong – who will take us in?
★★★★★ An epic, feminist protest song
— Mark Fisher, The Guardian
★★★★★ An exhilarating show, rich with resonance and power. Rush to see it whilst you can
— Simon Thompson, What's on Stage
★★★★ In Ramin Gray’s production the rhythms of the writing tightly entwine with a sparsely beautiful soundtrack of percussion and ancient aulos pipes to truly hypnotic effect
— Alan Radcliffe, The Times
★★★★ Achingly expressive...incredibly moving
— Charlotte Runcie, The Telegraph
★★★★ A bold production from director Ramin Gray
— Thom Dibdin , The Stage
The Chorus - Photo Stephen
Cummiskey
Omar Ebrahim and the chorus - Photo Stephen Cummiskey
Oscar Batterham - Photo Stephen Cummiskey
The Chorus - Photo Stephen Cummiskey
The Chorus - Photo Stephen Cummiskey
The Chorus - Photo Stephen Cummiskey
The Chorus - Photo Stephen
Cummiskey
Omar Ebrahim and the Chorus - Photo Stephen Cummiskey
Rehearsals with the chorus in Manchester - Photo by Joel C. Fildes
Sasha Milavic Davies - Photo by Joel C. Fildes
Rehearsals with the chorus in Manchester - Photo by Joel C. Fildes
John Browne - Photo by Joel C. Fildes
Rehearsals with the chorus in Manchester - Photo by Joel C. Fildes
Rehearsals with the chorus in Manchester - Photo by Joel C. Fildes
Rehearsals with the chorus in Manchester - Photo by Joel C. Fildes
Gemma May and the chorus - Photo by Joel C. Fildes
Rehearsals with the chorus in Manchester - Photo by Joel C. Fildes
Omar Ebrahim - Photo by Joel C. Fildes
The Suppliant Women - Photo by Joel C. Fildes
Oscar Batterham - King Pelasgus
Omar Ebrahim - Danaos and Egyptian Herald
Gemma May - Chorus Leader