␡
⌂

The Suppliant Women

Written by Aeschylus / Version by David Greig / Directed by Ramin Gray

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?

Press

★★★★★ 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

Credits+

Tweet about this

Dates-

Scenes

1 of 21

The Chorus - Photo Stephen
Cummiskey

2 of 21

Omar Ebrahim and the chorus - Photo Stephen Cummiskey

3 of 21

Oscar Batterham - Photo Stephen Cummiskey

4 of 21

The Chorus - Photo Stephen Cummiskey

5 of 21

The Chorus - Photo Stephen Cummiskey

6 of 21

The Chorus - Photo Stephen Cummiskey

7 of 21

The Chorus - Photo Stephen
Cummiskey

8 of 21

Omar Ebrahim and the Chorus - Photo Stephen Cummiskey

9 of 21

Rehearsals with the chorus in Manchester - Photo by Joel C. Fildes

10 of 21

Sasha Milavic Davies - Photo by Joel C. Fildes

11 of 21

Rehearsals with the chorus in Manchester - Photo by Joel C. Fildes

12 of 21

John Browne - Photo by Joel C. Fildes

13 of 21

Rehearsals with the chorus in Manchester - Photo by Joel C. Fildes

14 of 21

Rehearsals with the chorus in Manchester - Photo by Joel C. Fildes

15 of 21

Rehearsals with the chorus in Manchester - Photo by Joel C. Fildes

16 of 21

Gemma May and the chorus - Photo by Joel C. Fildes

17 of 21

Rehearsals with the chorus in Manchester - Photo by Joel C. Fildes

18 of 21

Omar Ebrahim - Photo by Joel C. Fildes

19 of 21

The Suppliant Women - Photo by Joel C. Fildes

20 of 21

21 of 21

Oscar Batterham - King Pelasgus
Omar Ebrahim - Danaos and Egyptian Herald
Gemma May - Chorus Leader