A confident debut production with some hard-hitting moments – I just wish the difficult questions posed by the play had been wrestled with in more depth.

Despite the disparity between the two pieces, overall a thought-provoking production with enough intelligent humour to make a heavy subject digestible.

SophoclesAdapted by Timberlake WertenbacherDirected by David Mercatali★★★ Pros: Thought provoking and deeply meaningful script, raising questions of life and death whilst making a mockery of modern warfare. Star-filled cast makes it feel less Fringe and more West End. Cons: The dialogues don’t quite manage to glue together and some characters seem to appear just out of the blue. A handful of funny anachronisms. Our Verdict: A blood-soaked adaptation of a Greek classic with a stellar cast. Despite some plot gaps, ...

Aeschylus, translated by Paul Elmer More Directed by Cieranne Kennedy Bell  ★★★ Pros: An ancient and powerful story that is rarely performed, with strong actors and an unusual and intriguing method of storytelling. Cons: At times difficult to follow, and many aspects of the performance are overcompensation for the lack of action.  Our Verdict: Emotionally charged and engaging. This brutal tale will appeal more to those with an interest in Greek mythology, but still has a powerful connection with a ...

Sophocles Directed by Ricky Dukes ★★★★ Pros: A brilliant example of how Greek Tragedy can be made relevant to the modern day, and accessible to all audiences. Cons: One or two moments of slightly “shouty” acting where more emotion could perhaps have come through. Our Verdict: This production of the famed Sophocles masterpiece is fast-paced and gritty for its entirety, ingeniously proving that the intimidating genre of Greek Tragedy is both applicable to the current day and hugely enjoyable. Courtesy ...

Caroline Bird, After EuripidesDirected by Christopher Haydon★★★★★ Pros: An excellent and original reworking of the Greek text with stellar performances and an exceptional design. Cons: Sight-lines are a little tricky, but blockages can be avoided by arriving early to claim front seats. Our Verdict: An all-around wonderful production featuring a spectacular script, cast, design, and message. Courtesy of the Gate Theatre Several years ago I worked in the sound-booth for my university’s production of The Trojan Women, so while I ...

Euripides, in a new version by Mike BartlettDirected by Mike Bartlett★★★★ Pros: Bartlett seldom puts a foot wrong, and his adaptation of Medea is no exception. Cons: Perhaps overly and unnecessarily keen to keep some of the aspects of the classic tragedy format intact. Our Verdict: A brilliant introduction to a timeless classic, with an incredibly strong central performance from Rachael Stirling. Courtesy of Manuel Harlan for The Guardian Mike Bartlett has, to be honest, had a pretty awesome few ...

Sophocles, in a new version by Don TaylorDirected by Polly Findlay★★★★ Pros: great performances, short, snappy staging. Cons: Greek tragedies aren’t everyone’s cup of tea – they are by definition depressing! Our Verdict: an engaging and worthwhile rendition of a Greek classic. Courtesy of the Daily Telegraph Re-imagining ancient Greek tragedies is always a difficult task. It seems that, because these plays have been around for literally thousands of years, any conceivable adaptation has already been done. It can therefore ...

Aeschylus, translated by Ted HughesDirected by Anastasia Revi★★★ Pros: An engaging production of a Greek classic with some great imagery and stylisation. Will keep you entertained. Cons: Sometimes goes over the top and veers towards melodrama. Our Verdict: Worth the trip if your want to catch an entertaining version of a rarely-performed classic. Courtesy of Anna Soderblom A two and a half hour long production recounting the ins and outs of a three-generation-long family feud was never going to be ...