Comparison of

The play A Mouthful of Birds by Caryl Churchill and David Lan is loosely based around the themes explored by Euripides in The Bacchae. Both plays share similar themes and issues, yet contain many contrasting characters and circumstances due to the modernisation or appropriation of The Bacchae into a post-modern theatre piece for a contemporary audience with different views, morals and beliefs. The plays both concentrate on themes of violence, possession and transformation. Both works …

…as the time periods in which each was set. While it would be beneficial to the audience members to have a prior knowledge of both plays before viewing one (particularly of The Bacchae if one wishes to watch A Mouthful of Birds) either play could be enjoyed in its raw and non-comparative form as a piece of theatre that deals with issues relevant to the time period and situation under which the play was performed.