Overall Reception: Mixed to Positive
The production has been described as a “messy” but “entertainingly messy” raucous new take on Euripides’ Greek tragedy
[timeout] (https://www.timeout.com/london/theatre/bacchae-review) , marking the debut of new National Theatre director Indhu Rubasingham.
Key Strengths
Visual Spectacle: Critics praised it as a visually spectacular production with exciting sound and lighting, glittering, and grungy design [theartsdesk] (https://theartsdesk.com/theatre/bacchae-national-theatre-review-cheeky-uneven-version-euripides-tragedy)
[Londontheatrereviews] (https://www.londontheatrereviews.co.uk/post.cfm?p=25600)
Performances: James McArdle received particular acclaim for his performance as Pentheus, with one reviewer noting he’s “an actor so absurdly good that he feels like he’s doing everyone a favour by being there” [timeout](https://www.timeout.com/london/theatre/bacchae-review) . Clare Perkins was praised for holding the Olivier stage with “loud-mouthed swagger”
[theartsdesk](https://theartsdesk.com/theatre/bacchae-national-theatre-review-cheeky-uneven-version-euripides-tragedy)
Bold Programming: The production demonstrates Rubasingham’s commitment to bold programming [The Stage](https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/bacchae-review-olivier-theatre-national-theatre-london-indhu-rubasingham) , being the first debut playwright’s work on the Olivier stage.
Main Criticisms
Lack of Focus: Multiple reviews noted a “nagging sense that it’s not clear where the story is going” and questioned the coherence of the narrative [timeout](https://www.timeout.com/london/theatre/bacchae-review)
Tonal Issues: Some critics felt it “imploded into hashtag politics” and committed “the deadliest artistic sin of all: cringe” [Broadway World](https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Review-BACCHAE-National-Theatre-20250925) . The production was criticized for its “swings and misses,” including underdeveloped attempts at topicality around migration themes [timeout](https://www.timeout.com/london/theatre/bacchae-review)
Structure Problems: The Bacchae women’s scenes, while entertaining, felt “relatively extraneous” compared to the scenes between the two male leads [timeout] (https://www.timeout.com/london/theatre/bacchae-review)
Verdict
Most reviewers saw it as a fun, rap-infused adaptation that serves as an acceptable if imperfect opening for Rubasingham’s tenure [Time Out] (https://www.timeout.com/london/theatre/bacchae-review) , with some noting it’s “certainly worth a watch” [Londontheatrereviews](https://www.londontheatrereviews.co.uk/post.cfm?p=25600) for its ambition and visual flair, even if the execution is uneven.
Citations:
– [Bacchae, National Theatre Olivier review: raucous new riff on the Greek tragedy](https://www.timeout.com/london/theatre/bacchae-review)
– [Bacchae, National Theatre review – cheeky, uneven version of Euripides’ tragedy | The Arts Desk](https://theartsdesk.com/theatre/bacchae-national-theatre-review-cheeky-uneven-version-euripides-tragedy)
– [Bacchae – Review – National Theatre](https://www.londontheatrereviews.co.uk/post.cfm?p=25600)
– [Bacchae review at Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, London: Unfocused debut](https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/bacchae-review-olivier-theatre-national-theatre-london-indhu-rubasingham)
– [Review: BACCHAE, National Theatre](https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Review-BACCHAE-National-Theatre-20250925)
More sources:
– [Bacchae reviews at the National Theatre – Starring James McArdle, Clare Perkins, Ukweli Roach & Sharon Small | West End Theatre](https://www.westendtheatre.com/313871/news/reviews/bacchae-reviews-round-up-at-the-national-theatre-starring-james-mcardle-clare-perkins-ukweli-roach-sharon-small/)
– [Review Round Up: Bacchae, National Theatre – Love London Love Culture](https://lovelondonloveculture.com/2025/09/25/review-round-up-bacchae-national-theatre/)
– [Bacchae at the National Theatre – review](https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/bacchae-at-the-national-theatre-review_1695929/)
– [Bacchae | National Theatre](https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/bacchae/)
– [‘Bacchae’ review – Fun and flashy, if flawed, spin on …](https://liamodell.com/2025/09/29/bacchae-review-national-theatre-london-nima-taleghani-heartstopper-indhu-rubasingham-sharon-small-clare-perkins-james-mcardle-pronunciation/)
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