If you grew up reading Homer’s Iliad or Odyssey and spent some years in University wondering whether Medusa really was the hard-done-by Gorgon, or not, then this is for you.
The National Theatre is set to captivate audiences with a new free exhibition, The Greeks: Radical Reinvention, opening on 9 September in the Wolfson Gallery.
This immersive journey delves into the theatre’s rich history of reimagining Greek tragedies, coinciding with the debut of Bacchae, Indhu Rubasingham’s inaugural production as Director of the National Theatre. This retelling of Euripides’ classic, brought to life by Nima Taleghani, combines rhythm, music, and movement to breathe new life into the ancient tale.
Greek tragedies like Medea and Antigone continue to resonate with modern audiences, exploring universal themes such as morality, justice, and the complexities of the human psyche. Set against the iconic architecture of the Olivier Theatre, inspired by the open-air theatre of Epidaurus, The Greeks: Radical Reinvention highlights how the National Theatre has embraced these timeless works. The exhibition focuses on four key elements of ancient Greek drama—sound, space, dance, and community—showcasing the innovative ways these plays have been adapted for contemporary audiences.
The exhibition features archival treasures from the National Theatre Archive, including costume designs, rehearsal footage, and model boxes from landmark productions such as Paradise (2021), Medea (2014), Antigone (2012), Iphigenia at Aulis (2004), and The Oresteia (1981). Visitors can explore Soutra Gilmour’s striking Antigone design, listen to recitals of ancient Greek verse, and experience witness recordings of music, speeches, and dances from past productions.
Curated by Dr. Lucy Jackson of Durham University, the exhibition offers a unique perspective on the creative process behind these productions. Dr. Jackson explains, “We might not think that plays written over two and a half thousand years ago can ask really pointed questions about the way we live now. But they do! This exhibition uses the National Theatre Archive to explore how disruptive and radical you can be in making a new version of a Greek tragedy while staying true to the spirit of the genre.”
Running through early 2026, the exhibition is housed in the Wolfson Gallery, located between the Lasdun Restaurant and the Olivier Stalls level. Visitors can also access the exhibition digitally via the Bloomberg Connects app, which includes accessibility features like voice-over, captions, and image zoom.
For those interested in diving deeper, the National Theatre Archive offers a research room open to the public by appointment, as well as Archive Unboxed Tours for a hands-on exploration of its vast collection. Tickets for these tours are £10, with free dates available during the Lambeth Heritage Festival.
The National Theatre’s commitment to Greek tragedy is well-documented, as seen in past productions and initiatives, like Phaedra a few years ago, for example. If you need a crash course on some of the classics, try a book or two by renowned Classicist Mary Beard.
See the show and reignite your love for the stories that gave us what it is to tell a story with the National Theatre.