The Oresteia: Worth Every Bloody Minute
Photo credit: Johan Persson
"Long, bloody, and unmissable! The Oresteia at the Bridge Theatre is a star-studded triumph well worth the 3 hours 40 minutes of its runtime."
SHOW TITLE: The Oresteia
STAR RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
THEATRE: Bridge Theatre
DATES: 3 Jul – 19 Sep 2026
Would you go to the theatre if you knew the play you're about to see is 3 hours and 40 minutes long? That was the question I asked myself walking into The Oresteia, the latest production at the Bridge Theatre, and by the curtain call, I had my answer.
The Oresteia is the last surviving Greek tragic trilogy, written by Aeschylus in the 5th century BC. This is a play that has stood the test of time and been performed for centuries, remaining one of the most impactful theatre pieces, and this revival confirms that. If you need to know one thing about Greek tragedies, it's that they don't shy away from blood, revenge and intensity. They dig deep into the worst of human nature and explore it without holding back, and this production is no different.
Ten years, one family
Photo credit: Johan Persson
What sets this staging apart is director Simon Stone's decision to retain the original three-part structure (three acts, two intervals) while relocating the story to the present day. We follow one family - mum, dad, three kids - across a decade, from 2016 to 2026. Before every major scene, the year is clearly indicated, which makes the piece feel almost like watching a TV show. It's an impressive piece of staging, and one that helps the audience track a sprawling, generational story without ever losing the thread.
That modern setting doesn't soften the material, though. This is a bloody, violent and intense production, and if these types of shows aren't normally your thing, it can be a hard watch. I needed to look away a few times, and I'd say I can usually stomach fairly intense shows. There are quite a few killings witnessed on stage in full bloody capacity, and because these are the closest family members, it makes those dynamics feel weird and uncomfortable to watch play out.
A star-studded cast
The show is carried by a genuinely star-studded cast. Tom Glynn-Carney (House of the Dragon) plays Augie (Orestes) in the show, and carries some of the heaviest moments with a powerful, vicious delivery. David Morrissey (The Walking Dead) plays Christopher (Agamemnon), torn between doing right and the family betrayal that rests on his shoulders. Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds) plays Monty (Clytemnestra), and she absolutely devoured act two - a performance worth returning for on its own. Two-time Olivier-award nominee, Rosie Sheehy, plays Alice (Electra), and delivers a performance full of vengeful need for blood on her hands which was so captivating to watch. The list of stars in this cast continues with Saltburn’s Archie Madekwe playing Lorenzo, and Rakhee Thakar (Sex Education) playing Chandra, so if you are keen to see your favourite TV stars on stage, this might be the perfect show.
Photo credit: Johan Persson
While the early previews ran 4 hours 40 minutes, the performance I saw was trimmed to 3 hours 40 within a week, including two 15-minute intervals. Given the density of the action and the fact that the entire trilogy is covered in one sitting, the length is justified, although it’s still a long time to spend at the theatre so be aware of that if heading to see it.
One of the most mind-blowing aspects of the production is its staging which is an actual rotating house across two floors, with living room, kitchen, bathroom, 2 bedrooms, corridors. An interesting choice was to keep glass walls so for the whole duration of the show we watched actors behind the glass, making the feeling of them being trapped in their own tragic destinies even more impactful! It's unlike anything I've seen on a London stage, and it's the kind of design work that should be in the conversation for awards.
Photo credit: Johan Persson
My final verdict: While the subject matter of this ancient Greek trilogy isn’t something I would normally gravitate towards, this production is a pure masterpiece! From acting, to staging, lighting, pace…it truly is one-of-a-kind show that totally deserves this run time, and for anyone into Greek mythology it will be the best adaptation of this classic they’ve ever seen!
