Whip-smart Leeds Playhouse Youth Theatre show casts a contemporary lens on a Greek legend

Members of Leeds Playhouse Youth Theatre are following in the footsteps of an incredible roster of professional actors to take to the stage at the city’s premier producing theatre. With full support from across the Playhouse – including lighting, sound, props, workshop, box office, producing and marketing – they are performing in little girls alone in the woods in a four-show run from 3-5 September.

“In an ordinary street, in an ordinary suburb, in an ordinary town, something is amiss.”

The cast comprises Rowan Amoako, Peter Baxendall, Jo Bell, Orin Bentley, Mae Brown, Grace Fox, George Gladwin Nott, Enaya James, Jay McManus, Merve Pangala, Iris Podesta, Sahitra Rajaganesh, Saul Sillers Reed, Ava Reeves, Suvi Robinson, Emilia Scofield, Harley Thompson and Ayesha Walker.

Director Angelica Clunes said: “Making work about being rebellious and brave with this company full of creative and fearless young people has been an outstanding experience. Co-creating with this ensemble has filled my boots and inspired me to lean in to the moments of unease and unexpectedness because that’s where joy hides.”

In Morgan Rose’s little girls alone in the woods, it’s not the maths exam the teens are about to fail or the overdue essay that’s worrying them. It’s not global warming or fast-fashion sweatshops. It’s a low buzz of anxiety, a quiet terror in the middle of the night. Because girls are going missing.

The adults aren’t taking any chances. All young women must register with authorities. They must wear a tracking device. They must watch what they say in case their words put them in danger. They will be controlled, and they will be safe.

A whip-smart adaptation of The Bacchae, little girls alone in the woods puts a contemporary feminist lens on the Greek legend of Dionysus, the god of wine, fertility, festivity, theatre and ritual madness. It dares us to go into the woods and seek out what knowledge lies beyond the border of respectability and rules. What worlds await us?

This production has been created with the talented members of Leeds Playhouse Youth Theatre, celebrating their creativity, commitment and talent.

Support from individuals, sponsors, trusts and foundations helps make productions like this possible, as well as enabling the Playhouse to offer bursaries so that cost is never a barrier to taking part in its Youth Theatre programme.

Click here to find out how you can support Leeds Playhouse Youth Theatre.

little girls alone in the woods plays at Leeds Playhouse 3-5 September. Tickets are available here.