The Suppliant Women - A tale of female refugees that still feels relevant

The first recorded use of the word ‘democracy’ is in The Suppliant Women. Little wonder its tale of female refugees still feels so relevant, writes Ellie O’Byrne

FIFTY female refugees from North Africa flee cross the Mediterranean to seek refuge in Greece and beg protection from objectionable marriage laws in their native land.

Theatre director Ramin Gray’s latest project, The Suppliant Women, may seem like something you could read on any news website today, with themes like the plight of refugees and the power struggles of women against a patriarchy. But it was written by Greek playwright Aeschylus 2,500 years ago.