THE LAST DAYS OF TROY

“The Iliad is tense and intriguing, with moments of great tragedy and breath-taking humility. Everything we have come to expect of the great myths.” Simon Armitage

At a time when the nation is commemorating World War I, it tells the story of an ancient battle, its legendary heroes and noble losers.

Two civilizations are at war. The Greeks are laying siege to the ancient city of Troy to try to win back their abducted queen, Helen, reputedly the most beautiful woman in the world. But despite battlefields dyed scarlet with blood and the local river running red, opposing forces have reached a bitter stalemate. In this tense stand-off, desperate actions lead to extreme and unexpected reactions, both on earth and among the Gods of Olympus.

THE LAST DAYS OF TROY completes Homer’s tale, with Simon Armitage’s dramatisation bringing the war to a brutal conclusion. Through it, he considers how we are locked in the same cycles of conflict and revenge, of east versus west, and the same mixture of pride, lies and self-deception that fed the Trojan War.

With the same cast, this reworking of literatures oldest war poem will run in repertoire with BRITANNIA WAVES THE RULES. In contrast to Troy’s armies marching lustily into battle, this heartfelt tale illuminates people and places that have been forgotten and the inability to escape the horrors of war.