Crete 1944. A young girl hides in the hollow of an ancient olive tree, watching helplessly, as her family are rounded up and loaded onto trucks. A horned shadow looms and she finds herself falling… falling…
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 violence.
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 St Andrews University.
Written by Jonathan D’Young
Created & developed by NMT Automatics
Rena: in the wake of war – Blog by Prof. Alice König
London run:
Upstairs At The Gatehouse
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
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
Theatre Company 