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Greek theatre video collection

An image of Helen McCrory starring as 'Medea' at the National Theatre production from 2014, smoking a cigarette and in profile

The theatre of Ancient Greece flourished between 550BC and 220BC. A festival honouring the god Dionysus was held in Athens, out of which three dramatic genres emerged: tragedy, comedy and the satyr play.

Western theatre has its roots in the theatre of Ancient Greece and the plays that originated there.

This collection features short films about Greek theatre and productions of Greek plays staged at the National Theatre.

Want to learn more about Greek theatre? Visit our online exhibition.

Explore the Greek theatre online exhibition

In Search of Greek Theatre

Step inside the National Theatre’s Archive for this video collection on Greek tragedy, featuring Dr Lucy Jackson (Assistant Professor Greek Literature, Durham University) and Erin Lee (Head of Archive, National Theatre).

A production photo from Katie Mitchell's Oresteia at the National Theatre in 1999, featuring two people facing each other - one with blood on their hands
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#5: Katie Mitchell’s The Oresteia (1999) Part One

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A close-up photograph of a mask with cloth hair
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#6: Katie Mitchell’s The Oresteia (1999) Part Two

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Two mannequins display identical vintage-style, knee-length dresses with short sleeves and a pattern of small dark shapes, set against a bright background. The dresses have a collared design and are cinched at the waist with a belt.
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#1: Antigone (2012) at the National Theatre

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A person browses a folder containing various photos, including architectural and nature scenes. Nearby, two posters feature a stylish person (Helen McCrory), with text indicating
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#2: Medea (2014) at the National Theatre

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#3: The Oresteia (1981) – Part One (Staging and Design)

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#4: The Oresteia (1981) – Part Two (Masks and Chorus)

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Video Collection

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An Introduction to Greek Theatre

This film explores the defining aspects of Greek theatre. It includes performance footage from the 2012 National Theatre production of Antigone, directed by Polly Findlay, starring Christopher Eccleston as Creon and Jodie Whittaker in the title role.

Featured are experts Edith Hall, professor of Classics at Kings College, London; Laura Swift from the Open University; Dr Sean McElvoy from Varndean College, Brighton; and actor Michael Grady-Hall from the cast of the National Theatre’s 2012 production of Antigone.

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Modern Interpretations of Greek Chorus

This film examines the role of the chorus, a defining aspect of the plays that emerged between 500BC and 220BC.

Dr Lucy Jackson, Teaching Fellow at King’s College London and Knowledge Exchange Fellow at the Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH) looks back over some of the recent Greek productions at the National Theatre, and their portrayal of the collective voice of the chorus. Featuring directors Katie Mitchell, Carrie Cracknell, Polly Findlay and actor Helen McCrory.

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A black and white production shot from 'Medea' featuring Helen McCrory in the title role, smoking a cigarette in a tank top, with the words Marginalised Female Characters in white at the bottom of the image
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Women in Greek Theatre

This film explores the role of women in Ancient Greek society and the representation of female identity in Antigone, Women of Troy and Medea.

Dr Lucy Jackson, Teaching Fellow at King’s College London and Knowledge Exchange Fellow at the Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH) looks back over these recent Greek productions at the National Theatre, featuring Helen McCrory and Jodie Whittaker.

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Jodie Whittaker, wearing a patterned dress, arms outstretched, in Antigone
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Antigone: Family VS State

This film looks at a central conflict within the play of Antigone; Creon’s belief in the state weighed against the actions of his family.

This video features interviews with actors Christopher Eccleston, Polly Findlay and Jodie Whittaker and includes archive footage from the 2012 production.

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An Introduction to Greek Comedy and Satyr Drama

This is a short film about Greek comedy and Satyr drama, discussing the festival of Dionysus, the original performance conditions and how the style of these shows differ from Greek tragedy.

Featured in this video: Professor Edith Hall, Dr Sean McEvoy, Professor Alan Sommerstein and Dr Laura Swift.

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Our funders

The Mohn Westlake Foundation supports nationwide Learning programmes for young people.

Nationwide learning is supported by Buffini Chao Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Clore Duffield Foundation, Tim and Sarah Bunting, Behrens Foundation, Cleopatra Trust and Milton Grundy Foundation.

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