A theatre show reproducing a Greek play written 2,500 years ago with a theme as relevant today takes to the stage in the county from tonight.

Seen at major festivals around the world, The Suppliant Women comes to the Gulbenkian Arts Centre in Canterbury and features the story of 50 women leaving their native Africa to seek asylum in Greece.

Written by the first great playwright Aeschylus, the women's plea for asylum leads to a vote – considered to be the earliest written reference to democracy – with the townspeople choosing whether to accept them or send them home.

The show, a version by renowned writer David Greig, see the chorus of women, played by local women, arguing for their lives.

The community chorus have been trained and supported by renowned vocal coach Mary King, one of the driving forces behind Channel 4’s award-winning Operatunity, and a regular presenter on BBC Radio 3.

The professional cast features the chorus leader, played by Gemma May Rees, celebrated opera performer Omar Ebrahim as Danaos, father of the displaced women and Oscar Batterham as the king.

Director Ramin Gray said: “As a director who has spent a lifetime on contemporary plays, it’s a palpable thrill to reach back some 2500 years to the origin of theatre. Aeschylus surprises, stretches and moves me. It feels wonderful to have discovered a new colleague from such an old place."

The theatrical event, full of music and movement, is part play, part ritual, part theatrical archaeology, and asks: who are we, where do we belong and, if it all goes wrong, who will take us in?

The show is the first in a cycle of plays being staged at the art centre.

The show runs from tonight until Sunday, November 14. To book tickets click here.

For more Stage news across Kent click here