A Short Introduction to the Ancient Greek Theater

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More About This Textbook

Overview

Contemporary productions on stage and film, and the development of theater studies, continue to draw new audiences to ancient Greek drama. With observations on all aspects of performance, this volume provides a clear, concise account of what is known about the original conditions of such productions in the age of Pericles. Reexamining the surviving plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes, Graham Ley discusses the organization of the dramatic festivals, the work of the playwright, costume and properties, the power and range of the chorus, and the use of theatrical space in the performance of tragedy and comedy. This new edition also includes notes on ancient mime and puppetry and how to read Greek playtexts as scripts, as well as an updated bibliography. An ideal companion to The Complete Greek Tragedies, also published by the University of Chicago Press, Ley's work is an illuminating introduction to one of the great periods of world drama.

About the Author:
Graham Ley is professor of drama and theory at the University of Exeter

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Editorial Reviews

Booknews
A guide to assessing modern translations and adaptations of ancient Greek tragedy and comedy, for people involved in performance or production. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR booknews.com
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780226477619
  • Publisher: University of Chicago Press
  • Publication date: 3/1/2007
  • Edition description: REV
  • Pages: 116
  • Sales rank: 1,222,886
  • Product dimensions: 5.00 (w) x 8.00 (h) x 0.50 (d)

Meet the Author

Graham Ley is reader in drama and theory at the University of Exeter. He has directed ancient and modern plays, has been a dramaturg for professional productions, and is the author of many specialist essays and books, most recently The Theatricality of Greek Tragedy, also published by the University of Chicago Press.

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Table of Contents


List of Plans and Illustrations     vii
Preface     ix
Preface to the Revised Edition     x
Acknowledgments     xi
Introduction     1
Greek Drama     5
The Organization of the Festivals     7
Lesser Dramatic Performances at Athens     10
The Writer     14
The Theater     17
Scenography     23
Masks, Costume, and Properties     25
Chorus     30
Actors     34
Reading Texts as Scripts     39
The Playing Space     44
The Audience     49
Delivery     54
Distance and Physical Action     60
Choral Song and Choral Action     65
Parody     74
Translation and Adaptation     82
Chronology of the Surviving Plays     93
Glossary     95
Bibliography     97
Commentary on the Plates     117
General Index     121
Index of Plays     125
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