The Persians

A clip of the soundtrack:

Site specific theatre with a vengence.
— The Guardian

Directed by Mike Pearson, this new production of The Persians was staged in an in a military replica village based around "a four-storey house with no front wall and a stunning backdrop of mountains" (The Independent) on a 31,000 acre army range in the Brecon Beacons, normally out of bounds to the public.

Written by Aeschylus about events surrounding the war between the Greeks and Persians, The Persians was first produced in 472BC. The play describes the battle of Salamis from the defeated Persian perspective.

Great theatre... and a thrilling mystery tour for its audience.
— The Telegraph

This production is part of the inaugural programme by the newly formed National Theatre Wales. The new translation is written by Kaite O'Reilly, with conceptual design by Mike Brookes and design by Simon Banham.

The production run of 12 nights from 11-21 August sold out and in addition to glowing reviews attracted widespread media attention including reports on Channel 4 News, ITV Wales, BBC 1 Wales and BBC Radio 4 Front Row, articles in The Guardian newspaper, articles in the Western Mail and on BBC Wales news website and arts blog, and numerous private blog entries.

5 STARS Extraordinary, one of the most imaginative, powerful and haunting theatrical events of the year... Pearson’s superbly imaginative and intense production, at once timeless and modern, has a rare, raw power. This is great theatre.
— Charles Spencer, The Telegraph
4 STARS The combination of the story and the setting... is overwhelming. What is impressive is the totality of the experience.... superb production, with atmospheric music by John Hardy.
— Michael Billington, The Guardian
National Theatre Wales’ extraordinary al fresco staging of the world’s oldest surviving play.
— Kate Basset, The Independant
4 STARS This is a theatrical experience like no other… at its end, as we stumble out into the murk, the sound of keening floats uncannily from the empty homes into the cold night air. Unique and unforgettable.
— Sam Marlowe, The Times
John Hardy’s music... (is) hauntingly atmospheric. At its best, the interplay between text and setting liberates new meanings. Mike Pearson (director) and Mike Brookes (conceptual designer) have scored a coup.
— Clare Brennan, The Observer
Both minimalist and massive in its scope and marvellous in its realisation.
— Fiona Phillips, Hereford Times
With the eerie music, some wonderful acting, and the amazing setting.... this is another hit for National Theatre Wales.
— Karren Price, Western Mail
At a key moment John Hardy’s subtle music comprises just a few spare keyboard notes in perfect counterpoint to the dramatic action.
— Adam Somerset, Theatre Wales
Extraordinarily powerful... astonishingly effective... a living, breathing otherworldly experience.
— Ben Bryant, British Theatre Guide