Our Ajax: Trauma On The Frontlines

By Sponsor Last edited 125 months ago
Our Ajax: Trauma On The Frontlines

This is a sponsored article on behalf of Southwark Playhouse.

Our Ajax - cast image 1 - Londonist

An epic drama of heroism, love and homeland comes to Southwark Playhouse this November, with a compelling retelling of a Greek classic.

Our Ajax, a new play by Olivier Award-winner Timberlake Wertenbaker (Our Country’s Good) based on Sophocles’ Ajax, follows the legendary leader as he is irrevocably torn between the politics of his army and the love of his soldiers.

But while Sophocles’ tragedy dates back to 450BC, Our Ajax brings the story to life with modern military psychology in mind. Based in part on the idea that the symptoms of what we now call Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder were evident as far back as ancient Greek drama, the play has been developed from interviews with current and former servicemen and women, mental health workers and family support groups.

Promising humour, humility and high-stakes action from the ensemble cast including Olivier Award-winner Joe Dixon (The Swan Season, The Roman Actor), Adam Riches (Edinburgh Comedy Award-winner) and Gemma Chan (Fresh Meat) and directed by Evening Standard Award-nominee David Mercatali (Dark Vanilla Jungle, Tender Napalm), Our Ajax is a contemporary exploration of trauma on the frontlines of conflict, and the issues facing our returning soldiers.

Our Ajax is at Southwark Playhouse, 7-85 Newington Causeway, London, SE1 6BD between 6-30 November. Tickets cost £16/£14 (£10 previews) and can be booked online or via the Box Office on 020 7407 0234. Keep up to date with Southwark Playhouse on their website, Facebook page or Twitter.

Last Updated 25 October 2013