Suitcase Theatre’s Chester performance of Medea

Suitcase Theatre, a theatre company well-known to Theatre Clwyd in Mold for over a decade, is packing its bags for Chester this winter and bringing an ambitious and semi-immersive production of Medea to St Mary’s Creative Space.

First performed in 431 BC, Medea is one of Euripides’ most enduring tragedies, a cornerstone of ancient Greek theatre that still grips audiences today. It tells the story of Medea, a woman of extraordinary intelligence and passion, who finds herself betrayed by her husband Jason in his pursuit of power. The play shocked its original Athenian audience with its daring exploration of love, revenge, and the extremes of human emotion.

This production uses the Jefferson translation, praised for its clarity, lyricism, and immediacy, bringing the raw intensity of Euripides’ language into vivid modern English. At its heart lies a story as thrilling as it is unsettling: a betrayed woman forced to the edge of desperation, who crafts an audacious and devastating revenge. Fierce, haunting, and timeless, Medea continues to challenge and captivate, asking us to confront uncomfortable truths about loyalty, justice, and the power of rage.

Suitcase Theatre presents this modern adaptation with a bold simplicity that honours the spirit of Greek theatre. Remaining faithful to its cultural roots, the production embraces the power of the chorus, strips away elaborate props, and unfolds within a fluid, versatile space. The result is a stark yet dynamic staging that allows Euripides’ themes to resonate with immediacy, bridging the ancient and the contemporary in a powerful shared experience.

We are excited to try out a new venue - specifically chosen for our semi-immersive “wedding” of Jason and Creusa. Our adaptation will ask important questions of our audience: How must betrayal be punished? How responsible are we for the protection of innocence? At what point does someone else’s tragedy become our own?

We have two children making their stage debut and a talented cast all local to Chester and North Wales.

As this is an essential piece of viewing for students of drama, and equally helpful to those studying English literature at A Level, we are offering Schools and groups booking discount. For more information, organisers can contact tickets@suitcasetheatre.org.uk

We are also offering flexible pricing that ensures theatre is financially accessible.