Ancient Greek tragedy has been an inspiration to Western culture, but the way it was first performed has long remained in question. In The Theatricality of Greek Tragedy, Graham Ley provides an illuminating discussion of key issues relating to the use of the playing space and the nature of the chorus, offering a distinctive impression of the performance of Greek tragedy in the fifth century BCE. Drawing on evidence from the surviving texts of tragedies by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, Ley explains how scenes with actors were played in the open ground of the orchestra, often considered as exclusively the dancing place of the chorus. In reviewing what is known of the music and dance of Greek antiquity, Ley goes on to show that in the original productions the experience of the chorus—expressed in song and dance and in interaction with the characters—remained a vital characteristic in the performance of tragedy. Combining detailed analysis with broader reflections about the nature of ancient Greek tragedy as an art form, this volume—supplemented with a series of illustrative drawings and diagrams—will be a necessary addition to the bookshelf of anyone interested in literature, theater, or classical studies.

The Theatricality of Greek Tragedy: Playing Space and Chorus

Ley, Graham

Humor & Entertainment

University of Chicago Press

Contemporary productions on stage and film, and the development of theater studies, have created a new audience for ancient Greek drama. This volume fills the need for a clear, concise statement of what is known about the original conditions of production for tragedy, comedy, and satyr play in the age of Pericles and provides observations on all aspects of performance. Reexamining the surviving plays of the tragic writers Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides and of the comedian Aristophanes, Graham Ley discusses the actor's technique, the power and range of the chorus, the use of theatrical space, and parody in the plays. A series of diagrams relates the theater to the city and political life of ancient Athens, and photographic illustrations of scenes from Greek vases document the visualization of theatrical performance. An ideal companion to The Complete Greek Tragedies (University of Chicago Press), Ley's work is a valuable user's guide to the critical assessment of modern translations and adaptations of tragedy and comedy. It is designed for all students of Greek drama with an interest in performance, and for theatrical practitioners who require a concise but informative introduction to one of the great periods of world drama.

A Short Introduction to the Ancient Greek Theater

Arts & Photography

Performing Arts

Contemporary productions on stage and film, and the development of theater studies, have created a new audience for ancient Greek drama. This volume fills the need for a clear, concise statement of what is known about the original conditions of production for tragedy, comedy, and satyr play in the age of Pericles and provides observations on all aspects of performance. Reexamining the surviving plays of the tragic writers Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides and of the comedian Aristophanes, Graham Ley discusses the actor's technique, the power and range of the chorus, the use of theatrical space, and parody in the plays. A series of diagrams relates the theater to the city and political life of ancient Athens, and photographic illustrations of scenes from Greek vases document the visualization of theatrical performance. An ideal companion to The Complete Greek Tragedies (University of Chicago Press), Ley's work is a valuable user's guide to the critical assessment of modern translations and adaptations of tragedy and comedy. It is designed for all students of Greek drama with an interest in performance, and for theatrical practitioners who require a concise but informative introduction to one of the great periods of world drama.

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 fills their need for 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 here discusses acting technique, scenery, the power and range of the chorus, the use of theatrical space, and parody in their plays. In addition to photos of scenes from Greek vases that document theatrical performance, this new edition 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 a concise and informative introduction to one of the great periods of world drama. "Anyone faced with Athenian tragedy or comedy for the first time, in or out of the classroom, would do well to start with A Short Introduction to Ancient Greek Theater."—Didaskalia

A Short Introduction to the Ancient Greek Theater: Revised Edition

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 fills their need for 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 here discusses acting technique, scenery, the power and range of the chorus, the use of theatrical space, and parody in their plays. In addition to photos of scenes from Greek vases that document theatrical performance, this new edition 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 a concise and informative introduction to one of the great periods of world drama. "Anyone faced with Athenian tragedy or comedy for the first time, in or out of the classroom, would do well to start with A Short Introduction to Ancient Greek Theater."—Didaskalia

Literature & Fiction

History & Criticism

Modern Theories of Performance: From Stanislavski to Boal

The modern era in the theatre is remarkable for the extraordinary role and influence of theoretical practitioners, whose writings have shaped our sense of the possibilities and objectives of performance. This study offers a critical exploration of the theoretical writings of key modern practitioners from Stanlislavski to Boal. Designed to be read alongside primary source material, each chapter offers not only a summary and exposition of these theories, but a critical commentary on their composition as discourses. Close scrutiny of the cultural context and figurative language of these important, and sometimes difficult, texts yields fresh insight into the ideas of these practitioners.

Milling, Jane

Red Globe Press

The modern era in the theatre is notable for the influential role of theoretical practitioners whose writings have shaped a sense of the possibilities of performance. This book is a critical exploration of the theoretical writings of key modern theorists

Lady at the Lodge: An 18th Century English Saga (The Wentworth Family Regency Saga Series)

Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

Mystery

Sapere Books

These essays explore aspects of historical performance in ancient Greece, linking its significance to wider reflections on cultural theory from around the world and on performance in the contemporary postmodern era. Topics include the origin of ancient tragic acting; festival performance in ancient Athens; the reflection of performance in the tragic scripts; the significance of the chorus; technology and the ancient theater; comparative thinking on Greek, Indian, and Japanese theory; the rhetoric of performance theory and postmodernism; modernism and theater; the importance of adaptation to theater; and studies of the theater and diaspora in Britain.

Ancient Greek and Contemporary Performance: Collected Essays (Exeter Performance Studies)

Dramas & Plays

University of Exeter Press

Acting Greek Tragedy

Acting Greek Tragedy is a methodical and practical approach for modern actors and directors working with the scripts of ancient Greek tragedy in preparation for performance. The approach is cast in the form of four workshops on monologue, dialogue, three-actor scenes, and scenes involving props. Scenes from the Greek tragedians Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides are discussed in detail, and video recordings on a dedicated website offer illustrations of interpetations by actors trained in the approach.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Ley, Graham. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Ley, Graham

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Ley, Graham. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Theatricality of Greek Tragedy: Playing Space and Chorus

A Short Introduction to the Ancient Greek Theater

A Short Introduction to the Ancient Greek Theater

A Short Introduction to the Ancient Greek Theater: Revised Edition

A Short Introduction to the Ancient Greek Theater: Revised Edition

Modern Theories of Performance: From Stanislavski to Boal

Modern Theories of Performance: From Stanislavski to Boal

Lady at the Lodge: An 18th Century English Saga (The Wentworth Family Regency Saga Series)

Ancient Greek and Contemporary Performance: Collected Essays (Exeter Performance Studies)

Acting Greek Tragedy