Acting Greek Tragedy

by Graham Ley

Book cover: Acting Greek Tragedy

Extent: 255 pages

Publisher: University of Exeter Press

Subjects: Classical Studies, Literary Studies, Music & Performing Arts

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(February 2015)

ISBN: 9780859898935

5.28 x 7.99 inches

Price: $22.00

In stock

Hardback (Published)

(February 2015)

ISBN: 9780859898928

5.28 x 7.99 inches

Price: $90.00

In stock

With a strong interest in the performance of ancient Greek tragedy, Graham Ley’s short text explores the dynamics of physical interaction between performers and of the dramaturgical construction of scenes.


Acting Greek Tragedy explores the dynamics of physical interaction and the dramaturgical construction of scenes in ancient Greek tragedy. Ley argues that spatial distinctions between ancient and modern theatres are not significant, as core dramatic energy can be placed successfully in either context. Guiding commentary on selected passages from Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides illuminates the problems involved with performing monologue, dialogue, scenes requiring three actors, and scenes with properties. A companion website – actinggreektragedy.com – offers recorded illustrations of scenes from the Workshops. What the book offers is a practical approach to the preparation of Greek scripts for performance. The translations used have all been tested in workshops, with those of Euripides newly composed for this book.

Preface Introduction First Workshop: Monologues Second Workshop: Dialogues Third Workshop: Three-actor Scenes Fourth Workshop: Properties Last Thoughts: Looking Back, and Forwards Thanks Notes on the Recordings Index of Greek names and characters General Index

  • By (author) Graham Ley

"this is a valuable book for those who want to understand better the dramaturgy of the Greek text, the intensity and frantic action of tragedy, as well as the movement that is implicit in some of the tragic texts. Ley's approach, as set out in his book, offers student-actors a practical perspective from which to appreciate ancient Greek plays using a range of performance-friendly translations." Angeliki Varakis-Martin, University of KentStudies in Theatre and Performance 36:1, 2016 "[...] the book will be invaluable to anyone considering staging a Greek tragedy" Terry Walsh, Classics for All Reviews, https://classicsforallreviews.wordpress.com/2015/05/18/acting-gree k-tragedy/, 18.05.15