The Suppliant WomenActors Touring Company, Royal Lyceum Theatre EdinburghThe 46th Hong Kong Arts Festival

“Strip away illustration! Down with decoration and illusion! That's how to keep it real in a place where old forms meets new people today.
—Ramin Gray, Director of The Suppliant Women
Voices from history with a poignant resonance for today’s world
A classical story with a striking contemporary resonance

“Exhilarating, rich with resonance and power. Rush to see it.” ★★★★★ What's On Stage

“Achingly expressive…incredibly moving” ★★★★★ The Telegraph

“An epic, feminist protest song” ★★★★★ The Guardian

INTRODUCTION

If we help we invite trouble, if we don’t we bring shame.

Written some 2,500 years ago, Aeschylus’ Greek classic speaks to us across the ages about some of the most important issues of our own time.

Rich with wonderful poetry, this acclaimed new version by leading Scottish dramatist David Greig vividly re-tells a story of the plight of migrants, morals and human rights, democracy, and ultimately the triumph of love. It asks who we are, where we belong, and if all goes wrong, who will take us in? It could not be more relevant in today’s world.

The arrival of a group of refugee women provokes the ruler of a city-state to consider their obligations of hospitality and asylum. These women are escaping from forced marriage in their homeland, and now they must persuade the citizens of the country that now controls their fate to let them stay. A referendum is triggered to resolve a moral quandary.

True to ancient Greek drama practice, the production will feature a 40-strong chorus– recruited and trained from the local community to perform alongside a professional cast, creating an extraordinary theatrical event. Adding to the production’s authenticity and atmosphere, John Browne’s moving and earthy score uses a specially reconstructed, ancient, double-pipe instrument, the aulos, to accompany the women’s heartfelt singing.

Hailing from the UK, Actors Touring Company is well known for creating shows that entertain while asking big questions of the world around us. This co-production with Edinburgh’s famous Royal Lyceum Theatre has been thrilling audiences everywhere it has played since premiering in 2016.

Approx 1 hr and 30 mins with no interval
Performed in English with English lyrics and Chinese surtitles
Recommended for ages 12 and above