Epic music theatre retelling of Aeneas' journey as a modern-day refugee trying to belong

Aeneas walks into a bar on his first night in Oxford: a refugee forced to leave his homeland. He finds himself in Dido's Bar, where the House Band play jazz and folk influenced by their own cultures. Spotted by bar owner Venus, Aeneas is pulled onto the stage and so begins a story of love, jealousy and ambition.

Sit at a table and watch the story unfolding all around you as the OVADA Warehouse is transformed into Dido’s Bar: a cabaret-style venue at the edge of town. The international cast draw from their own heritage to inspire the music: the tar and tanbour of Persian classical and Kurdish folk music, Arabic and Berber singing styles, Finnish folk songs and a Western jazz trio of keys, drums and bass.

Dido’s Bar is an epic retelling of Virgil’s Aeneid, one of the world's oldest myths of migration and the founding of Europe, Aeneas "made a refugee by fate" flees war-torn Troy (in modern day Turkey) to find a home in Italy. Facing resistance from humans and manipulation from Goddesses Juno and Venus, he ends up founding the Kingdom that would become Rome.

Retold for the 21st century through the eyes of refugees today, the show is inspired by Director Josephine Burton’s encounter with Kurdish Iranian refugee and now Finnish resident Composer, Marouf Majidi.

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Content warning: This show contains strong language, and depictions of violence, death as well as references to rape and and discriminatory behaviour.
Please note there is a large glitter ball reflecting lights that could affect people with photosensitive conditions.

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Doors open 30 mins before each show time.
This show is 2hrs approx, with a 30 min interval.

Food will be available to buy prior to the show, thanks to Oxford Community Action Kitchen.
There will be a bar open at all showings.