KS3 KS4 KS5

An Introduction to Greek Theatre

Directing Drama Performance skills Performing Arts

Performers on stage wear tattered, monochromatic costumes and eerie, white masks, their bodies contorted in expressive, dramatic poses. The lighting is dark, creating a haunting and theatrical atmosphere.

Overview

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.

In this short film resource, Professor Edith Hall, Professor Laura Swift, Dr Sean McEvoy and Michael Grady-Hall discuss the defining aspects of Greek Theatre. The film includes production images from the National Theatre Archive and video footage from the 2004 and 1996 productions of Bacchai and The Oedipus Plays directed by Peter Hall, and the 2002 production of The Birds directed by Kathryn Hunter.

This resource is part of a collection of short films focussing on Greek tragedy at the National Theatre.

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

Explore the Greek theatre online exhibition

Watch

A group of performers in white masks reach out with claw-like hands to a masked person lying on the floor. The scene is dimly lit with green hues, creating an otherworldly, eerie feeling.

Play Video

Production information

This film was made and directed by Chloe White for the National Theatre. It features the following National Theatre productions:

Olivier Theatre, 2002. Bacchai by Euripides; adapted by Wole Soyinka; directed by Peter Hall.

Olivier Theatre, 1996. The Oedipus Plays; based on Sophocles’ Oedipus plays; directed by Peter Hall.

Lyttelton Theatre, 2002. The Birds by Aristophanes; in a new version by Sean O’Brien; directed by Kathryn Hunter

Photo © Manuel Harlan

Suitability

Suitable for 12+/KS3+

Keywords

Greek Drama, GCSE Drama, A Level Drama and Theatre, Classics

More on Greek Theatre

An Introduction to Greek Comedy and Satyr Drama

KS3 KS4 KS5

Two people are on stage. In front, a man wears a red coat with white feathers and a laurel wreath. He is kneeling with his arms raised and an exaggerated smile. Behind, a shirtless performer with a headband crouches, holding a rope and looking nervous.

An Introduction to Greek Comedy and Satyr Drama

Drama English Performing Arts

An Introduction to Greek Tragedy

KS3 KS4 KS5

A group of performers with white masks and earthy costumes crouch on a red stage. One individual sits cross-legged in front, gesturing with their hand.

An Introduction to Greek Tragedy

Directing Drama Performance skills Performing Arts

An Introduction to Greek Chorus

KS3 KS4 KS5

A man in a white shirt and dark trousers stands on a stage surrounded by eight women in matching earth-toned dresses. They are in a wooded set with tree trunks in the background.

An Introduction to Greek Chorus

Directing Drama Performance skills Performing Arts

An Introduction to Women in Greek Theatre

KS3 KS4 KS5

A woman wearing a patterned dress is standing with her arms outstretched, looking defiant.

An Introduction to Women in Greek Theatre

Directing Drama Performance skills Performing Arts

In Search of Greek Theatre: Katie Mitchell's The Oresteia Part I (1999)

KS4 KS5

Black and white photo of a person with braided hair, wearing a jacket, reading a book. A zoomed-in section of text is visible above them, suggesting they are illuminated by a light source, possibly spotlighted. The background is dark.

In Search of Greek Theatre: Katie Mitchell's The Oresteia Part I (1999)

Drama Performing Arts Production Arts

A classroom of pupils watching the NT Collection on a screen.

National Theatre Collection

Watch selected shows on National Theatre Collection – the best of British Theatre, streaming direct into your classroom.
Free for all UK state schools (primary and secondary) and FE colleges.

National Theatre Collection

A picture of the Archive research room, people sifting through archive material and others sat at a computer with headphones

The Black Plays Archive