In this adaption of several myths surrounding the goddess Athena, we tell the story of three Greek women who were wrongfully killed.

Only in her temple are they given the chance to take the stage and reclaim what is theirs. The question is: can we trust their word?

Anathena is a 50 minute performance exploring three women from mythology, who were wronged at the hands of the goddess Athena. It follows Medusa, Arachne, and Pallas as they attempt to navigate and break free of the narratives created for them through dance, music and poetry. It simultaneously explores the role of Athena in the punishment of women in Greek mythology, analysing the effects of internalised misogyny on even the most powerful and independent of women.

Originally written by E.F Nicholson as one of her MA performance pieces, Oida! expanded the story for the Gulbenkian Arts Centre's GENfest22. There are no current plans to tour Anathena this year, but this is far from the last time the show will be performed.

Elissa Nicholson

Anathena performer, director, writer, producer, and designer.

Elissa is an award-winning theatre-maker with a passion for creative storytelling, writing and design. She has written, produced, and performed in multiple shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, and recently worked as a designer on BYTM's "Cabaret Macabre" in London. She completed her BA in Theatre: Writing, Directing and Performance at the University of York and is currently in the final stages of her MA in theatre making here at Kent. Elissa is also Creative Co-Director of Oida!

Rebecca Millar

Anathena performer, co-writer, producer, editor and dramaturg.

Becca is the founder and creative co-director of Oida!. During her time at university, she developed a passion for devising through play and creating spaces for womxn on stage. She played Arachne in the first iteration of Anathena, and has written, performed and directed a one woman show, Man and Woman Go Down the River Yonne. When she's not prancing around or playing dress up, you can find Becca scribbling poetry on scraps of paper or teaching Taekwondo for the University of Kent.

Danae Paraskevopoulos

Anathena movement specialist and performer

Danae studied theatre in Greece and in England. She has worked as an assistant director for the RSC and the Marlowe theatre youth companies. Danae has also worked as a performer in Maryland by Lucy Kirkwood, and The Contemporary Medea, a solo research project. She is a passionate, creative and innovative theatre maker with extensive experience in devised theatre. In the original production of Anathena, she played Medusa, offering her knowledge as a performer to create a truly unique piece.

Elyse Hall

Anathena performer

Elyse is a co-founder of Moonbeam Theatre, a theatre company specialising in multi-sensory performances for children with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Elyse has both co-created and performed in their recent tour ‘Scuba-Dee Scuba-Daa’. She graduated from the University of Kent in 2020 with a BA in Drama and Theatre.

You can find more of Elyse's work here: Home | Moonbeam Theatre

Emily Berry

Emily has just completed her three-year Drama and Theatre degree at the University of Kent. As a part of her time at Kent, she has appeared several T24 productions, including 'The Importance of Being Earnest' and 'The Odyssey'. Emily also appeared in the Gulbenkian Theatre before both as part of the community participants of 'The Suppliant Women' as and in the chorus for 'Half Life' by Tangled Feet.