Staging Ancient Greek Plays

Merging the theoretical framework with the practical elements of staging an ancient Greek play, this indispensable guide offers directors and actors an excellent starting point for mounting their production.

Considering the conditions of ancient Greek performance and the conventions of the Greek theatre, the book examines large questions, including those related to ancient Greek values, myth and the individual (‘characterization’), and the gods and fate – all of which must be taken into consideration when approaching a contemporary production.

This practical guide also explores with analysed examples, the issues that today's theatre-makers should consider in order to successfully stage ancient Greek drama.

These topics include:

- choice of translation

- setting

- costumes

- masks

- mode of delivery

- acting style for both tragedy and comedy

- handling of the chorus

- solutions to staging Greek drama