Complete casting announced for 'Bacchae' at the National Theatre

James McArdle, Clare Perkins, and Ukweli Roach will star in this modern retelling of an ancient Greek story.

The full cast has been revealed for Nima Taleghani's play Bacchae at the National Theatre, as part of Indhu Rubasingham's first season at the London venue. It is the first-ever debut play to be staged in the Olivier Theatre, with performances beginning 13 September and running until 1 November.

James McArdle, Clare Perkins, and Ukweli Roach will star in this modern retelling of an ancient Greek story, which includes spoken word and rhyme.

Further casting includes Melanie-Joyce Bermudez, Ebony Clarke, Natasha Gooden, Sam Jenkins Shaw, Kate Ivory Jordan, Arethajay McEwen, Fi Silverthorn, Simon Startin, Jessey Stol, Roman Asde, Elèna Gyasi, Reuben Johnson, Tyreke Leslie, Natasha Magigi, Ellie McKay, Ellie-May Sheridan, Sharon Small, Anna Russell-Martin and Amanda Wilkin.

Directed by Rubasingham, the rest of the creative team includes design by Robert Jones, choreography by Kate Prince, an original score by DJ Walde, sound design by Ben and Max Ringham, and fight direction by Kate Waters. Hazel Holder is the dialect coach, Hannah Hauer-King is associate director, Natalie Johnson is associate set and costume designer, and the dramaturg is Jeanie O’Hare.

"I can’t wait to get into the rehearsal room and create my first show as Director of the National Theatre, beginning this new chapter," Rubasingham said in a statement. "Nima’s energetic retelling of Euripides’ ancient tragedy is an exhilarating debut play that will fill the amphitheatre of the Olivier with spoken word and rhyme.

"Bacchae will be a riot of words, music and movement [...] This spirit of reinvention and telling ancient stories with a modern voice has long been a part of the National Theatre and we look forward to welcoming audiences both old and new."

Next year, Bacchae will be adapted by Taleghani to tour secondary schools and colleges around the country, directed by Hannah Hauer-King. It will also be filmed for future streaming release on National Theatre at Home.

Book Bacchae tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Photo credit: Clare Perkins, James McArdle, and Ukweli Roach. (Photos courtesy of production)