This series of essays by prominent academics and practitioners investigates in detail the history of performance in the classical Greek and Roman world. Beginning with the earliest examples of 'dramatic' presentation in the epic cycles and reaching through to the latter days of the Roman Empire and beyond, the Companion covers many aspects of these broad presentational societies. Dramatic performances that are text-based form only one part of cultures where presentation is a major element of all social and political life. Individual chapters range across a two thousand year timescale, and include specific chapters on acting traditions, masks, properties, playing places, festivals, religion and drama, comedy and society, and commodity, concluding with the dramatic legacy of myth and the modern media. The book addresses the needs of students of drama and classics, as well as anyone with an interest in the theatre's history and practice.

This Companion offers a wide-ranging picture of the performance conditions and background of theatre in the classical world from Homer to the end of the Roman Empire. The essays by prominent practitioners and historians investigate the broad socio-cultural framework that underpinned classical theatre and the various entertainment forms. The contributors address the needs of students of drama and classics, as well as anyone with an interest in the theatre’s history and practice who wants to know more about all aspects of performance in the ancient world.

Introduction Marianne McDonald and J. Michael Walton; Part I. Text in context: 1. 'Telling the tale': a performing tradition from Homer to pantomime Mark Griffith; 2. Ancient theatre and performance culture Richard P. Martin; 3. Religion and drama Fritz Graf; 4. The socio-political dimension of ancient tragedy Jon Hesk; 5. Aristotle's Poetics and ancient dramatic theory David Wiles; 6. Politics and Aristophanes: watchword 'caution!' Gonda Van Steen; 7. Comedy and society from Menander to Terence Sander Goldberg; 8. Lost theatre and performance traditions in Greece and Italy Hugh Denard; Part II. The nature of performance: 9. Art and theatre in the ancient world Richard Green; 10. Festivals and audiences in Athens and Rome Rush Rehm; 11. Playing places: the temporary and the permanent Richard Beacham; 12. Chorus and dance in the ancient world Yana Zarifi; 13. Masks in Greek and Roman theatre Greg McCart; 14. A material world: costume, properties and scenic effects Graham Ley; 15. Commodity: asking the wrong questions J. Michael Walton; 16. The dramatic legacy of myth: Oedipus in opera, television and film Marianne McDonald.