The Bacchae Analysis

The Chesapeake College theater department performed “The Bacchae,” an ancient greek tragedy, during the final two weeks of October. The actors put on a show filled with music, dance, and death. Overall, the talented actors brought life to the early B.C. drama, but the antiquated, choppy dialogue left the play to only be enjoyed in moments. The few enjoyable moments all had one thing in common, humor. The college students incorporated their 21st century comedy into the ancient drama, in a way through which the audience members could relate. From dancing to modern music in their archaic garb to chanting “orgy” at the audience, the actors did not miss a comedic beat. The amusement the actors brought lightened the mood without interrupting the play’s tragic tone.
Twice during the hourlong play, supporting actors roamed through the aisles, grabbing audience members and performing an impromptu dance with them. The opportunity to share hands with the actors seemingly brought the viewers into the play itself, and made for a much more interactive experience. While it had its few enjoyable moments, “The Bacchae” ultimately fell short in regards to its narrative. With limited props and a small stage, the story-telling relied on the actors’ dialogue. The 410 B.C. script seemed untouched, and the archaic diction was delivered like a poem, and the enjambment made for no real dialogue between characters. It was difficult to follow the plot without knowing which character was which, and their role in the