Bakkhai [2017 – 2019]

Euripides’ 2500-year-old tragedy tells the legend of the Bakkhai, a group of wild and strange women accompanying Dionysos, the god of wine, as he returns to his birthplace, bearing a grudge and heralding change. Pentheos, ruler of Thebes, is determined to resist Dionysos, but isn’t prepared for the Bakkhai, a cult of wild strange women that accompany their god.

Vahri McKenzie led a creative team of locals who reimagined the legend in the South West. This collaboration created a body of work including costumes, masks, sculpture, painting and animations. A community ensemble of performers brought to life the original text, music and choreography commissioned for the show.

‘Voices to Dionysos’: Sarah Neale, Andrew Robinson, Sky River, Butterfly Hall, Chrissy Maddison, Kelly Mitchell and Luke Myors (L-R), in Bakkhai by Vahri McKenzie at BREC, Bunbury; June, 2018. Photograph by Sarah Mills.

‘Kadmos and Agaue’: Andrew Robinson, Sarah Neale and Michelle Aslett (L-R), in Bakkhai by Vahri McKenzie at BREC, Bunbury; June, 2018. Photograph by Sarah Mills.

‘Change is coming’: Kelly Mitchell, Luke Myors, Chrissy Maddison, Sarah Neale, Sky River and Butterfly Hall (L-R), in Bakkhai by Vahri McKenzie at BREC, Bunbury; June, 2018. Photograph by Sarah Mills.

‘Dionysos and Pentheos’: Siobhan Maiden and Nina Smith (L-R), in Bakkhai by Vahri McKenzie at BREC, Bunbury; June, 2018. Photograph by Sarah Mills.


‘The Head of Pentheos’: Michelle Aslett and Chrissy Maddison (L-R), in Bakkhai by Vahri McKenzie at BREC, Bunbury; June, 2018. Photograph by Sarah Mills.

‘Heedless and Bestial’: Sarah Neale, Chrissy Maddison, Michelle Aslett, Siobhan Maiden, Millie Kitchener, Kelly Mitchell, Kathy Boxall and Luke Myors (L-R), in Bakkhai by Vahri McKenzie at BREC, Bunbury; June, 2018. Photograph by Sarah Mills.


Further Information:

Bakkhai: Freedom and Control is an exhibition of work developed for BREC’s 2018 stage show, seen here in a gallery context that illustrates the collective creativity of the artists. Curated by Vahri McKenzie, it includes costumes and masks by Sky River, sculpted thyrsoi and animations by Dan Rooney, soundscapes by Rachelle Rechichi and photography by Sarah Mills.

Bakkhai: Freedom and Control curatorial essay

Vahri McKenzie’s Bakkhai, BREC publicity poster. Photograph by Sarah Mills.

Bakkhai Program and director’s notes


Media

This project was supported by:

  • The State Government’s Royalties for Regions Program administered by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) Culture and the Arts (WA) in consultation with the Department of Regional Development.
  • Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre
  • Edith Cowan University
  • Maker + Co

Published research: