theatre Review: In Blood: The Bacchae | Arcola Theatre

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The Review - THEATRE by ANDREW MATHYS
Published: 15 January 2009

Greek classic reaches into 20th-century Brazil

IN BLOOD: THE BACCHAE
Arcola Theatre

“IT is beneath you!” replies Besouro after Gordilho puts a gun to his head.
A short silence follows to give time for the soldier to realise what his capricious nature has lead him to this time.
In Blood: The Bacchae fuses the Euripides story of fate, pride and politics with a 1920s Brazilian history of the Afro-Brazilian slaves and their culture.
The Greek chorus is portrayed by a capoeira group, who use their bodies, voices and instruments to mesmerising effect; it works beautifully in the space. Their dance, to the strains of the berimbau is hypnotic.
Greg Hicks, given a slightly uncomfortable script, plays Gordilho perfectly, and it is a joy to watch the scenes between him and Daon Broni, who plays the Afro-Brazilian character Besouro.
Full marks also to David Gant, who becomes terrifying towards the end, leaving the audience frozen.
The all-male cast encircle the audience like a jury, creating a deadly arena which
puts pressure on the performers to communicate effectively.
Director Noah Birksted-Breen presents this drama with essential urgency and allows Hicks and Gant, in particular, to relish their characters as much the audience appreciates them.
In Blood offers an insight into a culture and an essential story, sewn together by the absorbing capoeira performers.
It is astonishing that a 405bc drama can have so much significance two and a half thousand years later.
Until January 31
020 7503 1646

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