CalArts Group bravely bring Euripides’ play ‘The Bacchae’ to the Edinburgh Fringe and go one further by being an all-male cast. Though, technically, this resonates to the times when the actual words were written (Fourth Century B.C.), it is a brave decision in modern times since, with it, now comes a sense of gay debauchery that works perfectly well within the narrative.
Dionysus has been denied an honorary place as a God much to his frustration. His mother was murdered, he is also the son of Zeus, but nobody believes him. On the whole, Dionysus just wants revenge, and with the help of The Bacchae (those who follow his doctrine of wine, sex and carnival joy) he will avenge his honor.
Doug Spearman does a great Dionysus (his entrance on stage a fantastical visual treat), while the rest of the cast are equally good on their roles. Nathan Frizzell’s (as Pentheus) transformation from Bacchae-hater to follower is perfectly rendered, the composure of the King of Thebes rapidly lost once he succumbs to Dionysus power.
Though the play does have some jarring moments (the disco scene that represents Pentheus descent into the sexual and care-free spirit of the Bacchae), these are minor issues in a solid production. The Bacchae has been modernised and over-sexualised to good result. We salute you, Dionysus.
4/5 
Adrian G. Velazquez
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