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

PrefaceNotationDatesSpellingIntroduction: Adaptation and InterpretationChapter One: The Original Conditions of Performance1.1 The Festivals of Dionysos1.2 Performance Practice1.3 The Playing Space 1.3.1 Theatron and Orchestra 1.3.2 The Skene1.4 Staging Conventions1.5 Costumes and Masks1.6 Actors1.7 The Choros1.8 'Realistic' or 'Stylized'?Chapter Two: Values, Myth and the Individual, the Gods and Moira2.1 Greek and Modern Values2.2 Myth and the Individual2.3 The Gods and Daimones2.4 Moira2.5 Comedy2.6 Modern PerformanceChapter Three: Performing Greek Drama on the Modern Stage3.1 Translation3.1.1 Introduction3.1.2 Desiderata3.1.3 Comedy3.2 Setting, Costumes and Masks3.2.1 'Ancient' or Modern?3.2.2 Desiderata3.3 Speech and Song3.4 Acting3.4.1 Tragedy3.4.1.2 Solo Speech3.4.1.3 Dialogue and Three-actor Scenes3.4.1.4 Props3.4.1.5 Conclusion3.4.2 Comedy3.4.2.1 The In-Law in The Women's Festival3.4.2.2 A lazzo in Frogs3.4.2.3 Props3.4.2.4 Conclusion3.5 The Choros3.5.1 Introduction3.5.2 Tragedy3.5.2.1 A Choral Ode3.5.2.2 A Lyric Scene3.5.2.3 A Lyric/dialogue Scene3.5.2.4 Conclusion3.5.3 Comedy3.5.3.1 A Choros Divided3.5.3.2 The Parabasis2.5.3.3 Conclusion3.6 Performing Greek Drama on an End-on Stage3.6.1 Comedy: Peace (2009)3.6.2 Tragedy: Medea (2021)3.6.3 Conclusion3.7 AdieuGlossary of Greek wordsRecommended reading Works citedAppendix 1: Synopses of the Extant Tragedies and ComediesAppendix 2: Some Audio-Visual ResourcesIndex