Stage and screen actor Barry McGovern known for
his roles in Far and Way, Braveheart, Joe Verus the Volcano
and Waiting for Godot directs the famous Greek tragedy
The Bacchae depicting a mortal struggle between the twin
forces of control and freedom. Dionysus, god of wine and revelry,
aided by his wild Bacchae followers, locks horns with King
Pentheus of Thebes in a violent power struggle of great confusion
and madness.
This translation of The Bacchae by distinguished Irish
poet Derek Mahon is very modern in tone and richly comedic
without weakening the tragedy. McGovern’s direction brings the
classic close to home with Dionysus portrayed as a rock star, the
Bacchae chorus outfitted as American cheerleaders, Agave’s
followers as dominatrixes, and soldiers dressed in contemporary
uniform.
This production is rated PG-13 for language and violent images.
UC Davis Granada Artist-in-Residence Barry McGovern, known for
his screen and stage roles in “Far and Away,” “Joe Versus
the Volcano” and “Waiting for Godot,” directs Euripides’ classic
“The Bacchae” with original rock music, humor, dominatrixes and
cheerleaders. A wickedly sexy Dionysus locks horns with King
Pentheus in a violent power struggle between freedom and control.
“The Bacchae” opens on Thursday, Nov. 29 and runs through
Saturday, Dec. 8 at Main Theatre, Wright Hall.
