The muses return to Glasgow as the city’s newly revitalised Citizens Theatre hosts a frantic adaptation of an ancient Greek tragedy. Glasgow-based theatre co Company of Wolves have brought their solo production of The Bacchae, based on the late 5th-century BCE work by Euripides, back to the stage. Written and performed by Ewan Downie, this minimalist retelling offers a fast-paced and energetic interpretation of a classic tale.

The Bacchae follows the myth of King Pentheus and his mother Agave, who are punished for rejecting the god Dionysus. Through vivid, often gruesome language, the story explores themes of power, rejection and divinity. This tragedy is a Herculean task for any solo performer, yet Downie embodies every role with skill, shifting rapidly between mighty god, stubborn king, grieving mother, and even the entire chorus. Delivering at one moment comedic grace and another explosive power, Downie throws himself across the stage with reckless abandon, turning the theatre into his own personal gym and showcasing an impressive stamina that sustains the entire production.  

In contrast to Downie’s all-encompassing performance, the staging is noticeably sparse. Perhaps most central to the staging is the simple, glossy black floor that mimics water, while muted lighting casts the performance in a shadowy haze. Meanwhile, three large milk trolleys sit at the back of the stage, at times distracting in their absurdity. Each contains a handful of curious props, whilst hosting the lighting set-up that intensifies the production’s climactic final scenes.

While the minimalist retelling is an admirable feat, this limited and ambitious approach ultimately proves to be the company’s Achilles’ heel. The rapid transitions between characters can often leave a lingering whiplash for the audience, with pivotal scenes sometimes lost in the frantic pace. Moreover, though the company succeed in delivering a straightforward retelling, it’s hard not to feel as though the production holds itself back by not attempting a deeper interpretation of the text’s most interesting themes and their modern relevance.

For fans of ancient Greek tragedy, this fast-paced production of The Bacchae offers an interesting and well-thought-out reproduction. However, though the play makes promises to “blur the line between boundaries,” its straightforward retelling at times only succeeds in blurring the story itself. Ultimately, the audience is met with a compelling but cautious adaptation that never quite obtains the profound dramatic possibilities lurking within the text.

​The Bacchae is on tour across Scotland until Fri 29 May 2026.