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DANAÏDS & ‘The Big Greekender’ Festival

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  • DANAÏDS & ‘The Big Greekender’ Festival

    • In classical Athens drama came in a four-pack: three tragedies and a satyr play. Over the magic of the solstice weekend we revive this ancient ritual once again.

    Following the success of Part 1: The Suppliant Women (2021) and Part 2: The Sons of Aegyptos (2023) we are delighted to present Part 3 in Aeschylus’ long-lost DANAÏDS series: The Daughters of Danaos.

    Newly created by the same team of playwright David Greig, composer John Browne, director Ramin Gray and choreographer Sasha Milavić Davies, these performances of The Daughters of Danaos form the centrepiece of a solstice festival weekend. Experience the full myth as it was meant to be — alive, shared and unforgettable — now with workshops, talks, screenings, performances, and plenty of food and wine.

    This the first opportunity to see the tetralogy since 463 BC. Since these are new, scratch performances, still in development, performers will be reading from scripts and, at times, improvising. But, come in a spirit of curiosity and engagement and you will be richly rewarded.

    The DANAÏDS Programme:

     

    Thursday 19 June – be the first to see the final part of the trilogy.

    7.30pm – Part Three: The Daughters of Danaos after Aeschylus

     

    Friday 20 June – Two performances on one ticket

    6pm – Part One: The Suppliant Women by Aeschylus

    8pm – Part Three: The Daughters of Danaos after Aeschylus

     

    Saturday 21 June – The Big Greekender! The full ‘box set’ of performances, interspersed with drinks and food breaks.

    12:00 – The Opening Ceremony

    14:00 – Part One: The Suppliant Women by Aeschylus

    16:30 – Part Two: The Sons of Aegyptos after Aeschylus

    18:00 – Supper provided as part of your ticket

    19:30 – Part Three: The Daughters of Danaos after Aeschylus

    22:00 – Part Four: Amymone after Aeschylus

    –

    Sunday 22 June – Symposium & Orestes

    12.30pm – Lunch and Symposium

    4pm – Orestes by Euripides in Ancient Greek with English subtitles

    Tickets
    Below you can book tickets to individual events, or select the Big Greekender Day Ticket to experience the entire journey on our Greekender Saturday.

     

    Festival events:

    • Member discount
    Live events

    Part 3: The Daughters of Danaos after Aeschylus (Thu & Sat)

    In classical Athens drama came in a four-pack: three tragedies and a satyr play. That tradition has been lost. This summer, in the magic of the solstice weekend, we will attempt to revive an ancient ritual at the Gulbenkian.

    Thu 19 - Sat 21 June 2025
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    • Member discount
    Live events

    Part 3: The Daughters of Danaos with Part One: The Suppliant Women (Fri)

    Step into the heart of ancient drama with semi-staged performances of two powerful plays from Aeschylus’ epic trilogy.

    Fri 20 June 2025, 6:00pm
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    The Big Greekender Day Ticket (Sat)

    Theatre as it was meant to be — alive, shared and unforgettable!

    Sat 21 June 2025, 2:00pm
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    Women sat on a stage with lanterns
    • Member discount
    Live events

    Part 1: The Suppliant Women by Aeschylus (Sat)

    “If we help, we invite trouble. If we don’t, we invite shame.”

    Sat 21 June 2025, 2:00pm
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    • Member discount
    Live events

    Part 2: The Sons of Aegyptos after Aeschylus (Sat)

    This is the dramatic second part of the Danaïds trilogy.

    Sat 21 June 2025, 4:30pm
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    • Member discount
    Live events

    Part 4: Amymone after Aeschylus (Sat)

    Traditionally each trilogy would be followed by a satyr play, to complete the festival.

    Sat 21 June 2025, 10:00pm
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    DANAÏDS Symposium & Orestes (Sun)

    After a thrilling journey through Aeschylus' epic cycle of plays, join the discussion at our Symposium.

    Sun 22 June 2025, 12:00pm
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    • Member discount
    Live events

    Orestes by Euripides (Sun)

    Orestes by Euripides in Ancient Greek with English subtitles 

    Sun 22 June 2025, 4:00pm
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    ART31

    ART31 takes its name from Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child, which states that ‘Children have the right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of cultural, artistic and other recreational activities’.

    ART31 is a vision created with, by, and for young people in Kent, championing the belief that all children and young people have an entitlement to access high quality arts and culture, to empower them to achieve their creative potential, and to genuinely engage young people as equal partners in any decision making that affects them.

    The ART31 Youth Board is made up of young people from across Kent aged 13-25 who steer its governance, and influence policy and practice across the county and beyond, challenging the creative sector to examine existing ways of working and integrate young people into the core of their practice.

    Our projects with young people

    GENFest Young people posing in a cardboard Instagram frame

    ART31 Generate

    Youth Theatre

    Fantastic and fun sessions for ages 13-18 years, encouraging creativity and theatre-making skills.

    Live Streaming film equipment.

    SCREEN31

    Screen31 is a group for young people aged 15-25 interested in developing their film-making skills.
    TECH31

    TECH31

    TECH31 provides free practical training in technical theatre for ages 13 - 25
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    National Theatre Connections – Gulbenkian Young Company

    NT Connections is the National Theatre’s nationwide youth theatre festival. Each year it offers a unique opportunity for youth theatres and school theatre groups to stage new plays written for young people by some of theatre’s most exciting playwrights, and to perform in leading theatres across the UK.
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    Gulbenkian Uncovered

    Are you enthusiastic, committed and creative? Gulbenkian Uncovered gives University of Kent students the chance to programme films and run events.

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    Square Pegs Arts

    Square Pegs Arts are an award winning charity who provide drama groups, music projects and other accessible Arts opportunities for children and young adults who have learning disabilities and autism, and produce original, inspiring, challenging Theatre. Difference is celebrated and everyone is supported to shine in their own way.
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    KRAN Fam

    KRAN Fam is a drama group in partnership with Kent Refugee Action Network for young refugees and asylum-seekers.

    Accessible Film Club

    Relaxed Screenings

    Monthly film screenings that are open to all, especially those with autism and learning disabilities.

    Young People - Screen31 ARTY31

    ARTY31

    Gulbenkian’s ARTY31 group is for young people aged 8-12 with a wide variety of arts interests.

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