Greek theatre

Greece is facing massive economic change and upheaval and is still in danger of defaulting on its debt. It is in the news for all the wrong reasons at the moment but in a corner of Greece we are running a summer workshop which will focus on the roots of classical theatre.

Submerged in the culture of the theatre in Greece itself we plan to run our summer school in the mountains outside in the open air which will add a new dimension to our theatre work suing the environment as well. The course will be intensive and immerse participants in a new situation where they work quickly at something possibly for the first time in a stimulating environment surrounded by the culture and people of Greece itself.

Most cities in Greece had a theatre in the heyday between 550 and 220 BC mostly in the open air in bowl shaped auditoriums the most amazing of which is Epidaurus where you can whisper in the middle of the stage (or as it was called the Orchestra) and it will be heard all the way to the back row of stone seats. Some Greek theatres were very big such as Epidaurus with room for 15,000 people and some small.

All the actors were men and boys with dancers and singers making up the chorus. They changed costume in a hut called the Skene and painting the walls of the hut made the first scenery. Plays were written as comedies or tragedies something which continued for many centuries after. the actors wore masks and wigs and shoes with thick soles to make them look taller. Costumes were often padded to make actors look stronger or fatter.

There were awards ceremonies for the best actors and plays and some of the most famous writers became national and international celebrities. Anyone studying the theatre seriously needs to have a grasp of Greek theatre and its influence is still felt today. Greek theatre is the origins of Western theatre as we know it.

We will be working with Antigone Gyra who is Artistic Director of Kinitiras dance spectacle . Antigone has been teaching movement to actors and choreography to dancers at professional dance and theatre schools in Athens since 1993. She grew up with ancient Greek traditions and is innovative and exciting in her way of working. We will also be working with her sister Violetta who is an actress who divides her time between Los Angeles and Athens. She has played roles in theatre, film and television and is a graduate of the Greek National Theatre and a lifetime member of the Actors Studio.

In order to truly appreciate the scale of theatre in Ancient Greece we will arrange visits to Epidaurus and Delphi where we will experiment with theatre in the same arenas that originally staged some of the great Greek tragedies and comedies.

Details on the website at http://www.theatresaurus.co.uk/courses.asp or email  info@theatresaurus.co.uk