The National Theatre of Akkad present Ashurbanipal: The Last Great King of Assyria, a new tragedy by Selena Wisnom. Ashurbanipal, once a great and wise ruler, bleeds his kingdom dry, intent on defeating his brother in war. The future of Assyria and Babylon is written in the obscure language of the stars, but whose reading is the true one? And who can the king trust? With stylised sets, costumes and movement, accompanied by an original heavy metal soundtrack, expect the extraordinary in this innovative production drawing inspiration from Japanese Noh theatre.

Come along to the Simpkins Lee in Fourth Week to be transported to a realm where the decline of ancient Assyrian civilisation collides with the twenty-first century.

Each evening performance will be followed by a post-show talk, which will be free (come to as many as you like!). Each talk will begin 10 minutes after the end of the performance (estimated time: 9.50pm). The following speakers will be sharing their knowledge:-

WEDNESDAY - Dr Frances Reynolds, Shillito Fellow in Assyriology and Senior Research Fellow at St Benet's Hall, on 'Gods, Kings, and Scholars in Ancient Assyria'

THURSDAY - Dr Paul Collins, Assistant Keeper for the Ancient Near East at the Ashmolean Museum and Fellow of Jesus College, on 'The Enemies of Ashurbanipal'

FRIDAY - Selena Wisnom, our playwright and a DPhil student in Cuneiform Studies, on 'Writing Ashurbanipal: Fact and Fiction'

SATURDAY - Thomas Stell on his innovative direction of this experimental production