National Theatre's BACCHAE Schools Tour Heads to Coventry with Belgrade Theatre

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Writer Nima Taleghani and director Hannah Hauer-King have created a new school-focused version of the Euripides tragedy featuring rhythm, movement, and music.

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Young people in Coventry will have the opportunity to experience a new version of The National Theatre 's main stage production of Bacchae in their school hall this October, as the nationwide schools tour comes to the city in partnership with Belgrade Theatre.

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Students at Sidney Stringer Academy will see the production on 22 and 23 October, as part of The National Theatre 's eight-week schools tour, which will bring theatre directly into school halls across England.

Following Bacchae's debut at The National Theatre as part of Indhu Rubasingham 's inaugural season, writer Nima Taleghani joins director Hannah Hauer-King in creating an adapted version of the 2025 main stage play in a new production especially for schools. This exciting new version of Euripides' ancient Greek tragedy comes to life through rhythm, movement and music.

The Coventry visit is being supported by Belgrade Theatre, as part of its commitment to creating opportunities for young people across the city to experience high-quality theatre and develop their creativity.

Adel Al Salloum, Director of Producing and Co-Creation at Belgrade Theatre, said: “Partnerships like this are a really important part of our work at Belgrade Theatre, helping us bring high-quality theatre and creative opportunities directly to young people in Coventry. We're delighted to welcome the Bacchae schools tour to the city and to support The National Theatre in bringing this exciting new production into school halls, making theatre accessible to young people in their own communities. We hope the experience will spark curiosity, conversation and creativity, and inspire the next generation of audiences and theatre-makers.”

In partnership with local theatres, the production will be seen by 7,000 young people from more than 60 schools and colleges during its eight-week tour to school halls across England. The tour visits Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury (28 September–2 October), Norwich Theatre (5–9 October), Birmingham Hippodrome (12–14 October), Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (15–21 October), Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (22–23 October), Newcastle Theatre Royal (2–6 November), Theatre Royal, Nottingham (9–11 November), Leicester Curve (12–13 November), Lowry in Salford (16–21 November), including public performances on 20–21 November, and Sheffield Theatres (23–27 November).

The cast includes Senam Akpokavi, Jessica Alade, Ross Foley , Daniel Forbes, Aminita Francis , Emma Manton , Lily Olufemi-Bywaters, Daniel Regan, Premi Tamang and Benjamin Wilson.

Writer Nima Taleghani said, 'When I first started writing Bacchae, I wanted to make something that me and my friends from school would have enjoyed then and would enjoy now. Something that we would find challenging and tough and tricky then and that we would find challenging now, but in a totally different way. I never felt theatre needed to differentiate so heavily between work for young people and adults, low brow and highbrow, accessible and elite. I always wanted to make something for community, that reflected reality, something grassroots and authentic: Bacchae Schools Tour is the play finally coming HOME”.

Director Hannah Hauer-King said, 'Bacchae is a piece that encourages audiences to be suspicious of polarities, to embrace those that may appear different to us, and to question those who impose power. Nima Taleghani 's brilliant adaptation shines a contemporary light on these themes, giving particular focus to the desire of everyone, even a God, to feel like they belong. It feels like the perfect show to take into schools - not only speaking to issues that impact young people today, but also through a classic text that may otherwise seem inaccessible or 'not for them'. I can't wait to see it reach an audience that otherwise may not have access to The National Theatre , and that will hopefully encourage young people to believe that they have a future watching or making theatre, should they want it.'

In addition to seeing the show in their school hall, students will take part in interactive workshops exploring stage design and theatre-making skills. Alumni from The National Theatre 's Introduction to Stage Management and Young Technicians initiatives will also take on placements to support the tour, putting into practice the technical skills they have learnt through the programmes.

The artistic team also includes set and Costume Designer Natalie Johnson, lighting designer Bethany Gupwell , sound designer and composer Annie May Fletcher , movement director Kendra Horsburgh , dramaturg Jeanie O'Hare, associate director Callum Berridge, fight director Claire Llewellyn for Rc Annie Ltd and casting by Martin Poile CDG .

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_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/uk-regional/article/BACCHAE-Schools-Tour-to-Visit-Coventry-with-Belgrade-Theatre-20261007)._