by David Wiles (Author)
In this fascinating and accessible book, David Wiles introduces ancient Greek theatre to students and enthusiasts interested in knowing how the plays were performed. Theatre was a ceremony bound up with fundamental activities in ancient Athenian life and Wiles explores those elements which created the theatre of the time. Actors rather than writers are the book's main concern and Wiles examines how the actor used the resources of story-telling, dance, mask, song and visual action to create a large-scale event that would shape the life of the citizen community. The book assumes no prior knowledge of the ancient world, and is written to answer the questions of those who want to know how the plays were performed, what they meant in their original social context, what they might mean in a modern performance and what can be learned from and achieved by performances of Greek plays today.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 256
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 25 May 2000
ISBN 10: 0521648572
ISBN 13: 9780521648578
Book Overview: Specially written for students and enthusiasts, David Wiles introduces ancient Greek theatre and cultural life.