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

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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

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