Western theatre has its roots in the theatre of Ancient Greece and the plays that originated there. This collection features videos and workpacks about Greek theatre and productions of Greek plays staged at the National Theatre, including a series of videos on the 2012 production of Antigone starring Christopher Eccleston and Jodie Whittaker.
Latest episodes
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7 min ↗
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 Ki…
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5 min ↗
Modern Interpretations of Greek Chorus
Find out more about the theatre of Ancient Greece, with this film that examines the role of the chorus, a defining aspect of the plays that emerged there between 500BC and 220BC. D…
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3 min ↗
Medea: Staging a contemporary play
Actor Helen McCrory, writer Ben Power and director Carrie Cracknell talk about Euripides' Medea as a contemporary story and how it is still a relevant play for today.
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27 min ↗
Medea: Women in Ancient Greece
Historian Bettany Hughes and theatre scholar Oliver Taplin discuss the place of women in religion and their depiction as dangerous and tragic figures.
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33 min ↗
Medea: Motives and Murder
Forensic psychiatrist Christopher Cordess and academic Julia Stroud discuss the depiction of revenge killing in Medea, reflecting on the reality of similar actions and their psycho…
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30 min ↗
Medea: Act of Madness
Is Medea's behaviour determined by 'madness'? Classicist Edith Hall and psychiatrist Femi Oyebode discuss this question with Genista McIntosh. This is a recording of a live Platfor…
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3 min ↗
Women of Troy (2007): Stage Design
Professor Edith Hall discusses Katie Mitchell's staging for the 2007 production of Euripides' Women of Troy in the Lyttelton Theatre, exploring archive images of Bunny Christie's d…
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2 min ↗
The Oresteia (1999): Design Concepts
Professor Oliver Taplin discusses elements of production design in Katie Mitchell's 1999 version of Aeschylus's The Oresteia.
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3 min ↗
The Oresteia (1999): Use of Multimedia
Professor Oliver Taplin describes how live video projection formed part of Katie Mitchell's 1999 production of The Oresteia in the Cottesloe theatre.
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2 min ↗
The Oresteia (1981): Music and Language
Professor Oliver Taplin explains the significance of music and poetry in Peter Hall's 1981 production of Aeschylus' The Oresteia, which used Tony Harrison's translation of the text…
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1 min ↗
Objects from Greek plays at the National Theatre
A showcase of key objects from National Theatre productions featuring the boobam, one of the musical instruments used in the 1981 production of Aeschylus' The Oresteia, directed by…
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2 min ↗
Oedipus (2008): Set Design
Professor Edith Hall talks about Paul Brown's set design for the 2008 production of Sophocles' Oedipus, directed by Jonathan Kent.
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2 min ↗
The Oresteia (1981): From Epidaurus to the Olivier
Professor Oliver Taplin discusses the staging of the 1981 production of Aeschylus' The Oresteia, directed by Peter Hall and performed in both the Olivier Theatre in London and at E…
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2 min ↗
The Oresteia (1981): Use of Masks
Professor Oliver Taplin explores the use of masks in the choruses of Peter Hall's 1981 production of Aeschylus' The Oresteia. The masks used in the production were designed by Joce…
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5 min ↗
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 these types of performances differ from Gr…
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5 min ↗
Antigone: Heightened Language
Ancient plays are often problematic because of their use of language, director Polly Findlay talks about she approached this in the 2012 production of Antigone.
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4 min ↗
Antigone: Creon and Haemon
Haemon is the last of Creon's three sons. In this video Christopher Eccleston discusses how the loss of his two sons affected his relationship with Haemon.
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9 min ↗
An introduction to Antigone
This video offers a brief introduction to Aristotle's theory of tragedy before focusing on the 2012 production of Antigone, directed by Polly Findlay from Don Taylor's translation.
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6 min ↗
The Ancient Greek Chorus
This film offers a brief introduction to the Ancient Greek Chorus, and the contemporary interpretation of the Chorus in Polly Findlay's 2012 production from Don Taylor's translatio…
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5 min ↗
Antigone: Creon and Antigone
This video looks at the central relationship in the play between Creon and Antigone. Christopher Eccleston and Jodie Whittaker offer their opinions on the characters they portrayed…