Bacchanalia is an East Anglian theatre company formed by Merlyn Haycraft and Phoebe Segal in 2025.

Whether exploring the power of the male gaze or the figure of the witch, Bacchanalia unmasks the myths society has inherited, inviting audiences to reflect on how these stories shape us – and how we might reimagine them.

Engaging with contemporary issues and the experiences of younger audiences, the company’s mission is to create theatre that sparks thought and imagination, with productions that move, transform, and transport audiences to worlds both familiar and unexplored.

Bacchus was the Roman God of, amongst other things, the theatre, and Bacchanalia were unofficial ancient mystery festivals in celebration of Bacchus. Little is known about these festivals today beyond them being secretive, ecstatic, and originally popular among women and enslaved people.

As Bacchanalia gained popularity throughout the Roman Empire, there was an attempt to prohibit and control them by the Roman Senate due to fears of social disorder.