Long After the Labyrinth
A new play which draws on ancient myth to explore post-conflict recovery and peacebuilding today.
The Ancient Peace Studies Network at the University of St Andrews has teamed up with theatre company NMT Automatics to create Long After the Labyrinth, an epic new play inspired by the myth of the Minotaur and the true tale of the lost Jews of Crete. A gripping narrative told via text, movement and shadow-play, we follow the life of Rena Depas as she embarks upon a labyrinthine quest to find peace in the wake of conflict.
While hiding from Nazi soldiers who are rounding up everyone in her community, Rena hides in an ancient olive tree and tumbles into the famous labyrinth of Knossos where she encounters the Minotaur. The labyrinth becomes a liminal space where she begins to process feelings of loss, grief and anger – and where the audience can explore different dimensions of post-conflict transition and peacebuilding. Will Rena be able to keep the Minotaur at bay, and what will that take? Join us on a journey of peace-seeking and peace-making, ancient and modern.
See below for tour dates and booking information. Some performances will be followed by a Q&A with APSN director Alice König and the creative team behind the play. We will also be running peace storytelling workshops at each venue. For more information, please email vispeace@st-andrews.ac.uk.
For this production, NMT Automatics have brought together a special team of creatives, who have worked with some of the most internationally renowned contemporary theatre companies, including: 1927, Gecko, Theatre Re, Ephemeral Ensemble, Barefaced Greek and Les Enfants Terribles.
Produced by NMT Automatics, Chromolume, and the Ancient Peace Studies Network and supported by Arts Council England, The Society for Classical Studies, East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue, JW3, Etz Hayyim Synagogue, Crete, and the University of St Andrews.
London run:
Highgate Village, London N6 4BD
Dates: Wednesday 21st October – Sunday 8th November 2026
Times: Tuesday – Saturday 7:30pm; Sunday 3:00pm
No performance on Sunday 25th October
Tickets available HERE
Group discount available for groups of 15+ – please email vispeace@st-andrews.ac.uk for more info.
UK Tour Dates:
The Byre Theatre, St Andrews
Thursday 12th November 2026
Followed by a post-show Q&A with Prof. Alice König Performing Peace Workshop on the 13th of November led by Prof. Alice König & NMTA. For further details contact vispeace@st-andrews.ac.uk
Tickets available HERE
Manchester Jewish Museum
Saturday 28th November 2026
Performing Peace Workshop on the 29th of November led by Prof. Alice König & NMTA. For further details contact vispeace@st-andrews.ac.uk
JW3, London
Tuesday 26th January 2027
Wheelchair-accessible performance
Performing Peace Workshop on the evening of 19th of January led by Prof. Alice König & NMTA. For further details contact vispeace@st-andrews.ac.uk
APGRD, University of Oxford
Tuesday 19th January 2027
Afternoon seminar and performance of selected scenes, followed by a discussion with the performers and Prof. Alice König. For further details contact vispeace@st-andrews.ac.uk
Note: this is a fee-paying event run by an organisation which is not affiliated to, or funded by, the Classical Association. Please contact the organisers directly with any enquiries.
