A short introduction to the ancient Greek theater / Graham Ley.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ley, Graham.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Theater--Greece--History--To 500.

Theater.

Greece.

History.

Greek drama--History and criticism.

Greek drama.

Physical Description:

xii, 126 pages : illustrations, map ; 21 cm

Edition:

Revised edition.

Other Title:

Ancient Greek theater

Place of Publication:

Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 2006.

Summary:

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.

Contents:

Greek drama

The organization of the festivals

Lesser dramatic performances at Athens

The writer

The theater

Scenography

Masks, costume, and properties

Chorus

Actors

Reading texts as scripts

The playing space

The audience

Delivery

Distance and physical action

Choral song and choral action

Parody

Translation and adaptation.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 97-107) and indexes.

ISBN:

0226477622

9780226477626

0226477614

9780226477619

OCLC:

64487085

Online:

Contributor biographical information

Publisher description