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Description
In this programme, Eric Handley, Professor of Greek, University College, London and Director of the Institute of Classical Studies, London, looks at the forms of the Theatre in Ancient Greece and a...t some of the visual evidence relating to the performance of plays during the 4th and 5th centuries BC. Professor Handley uses sequences of classical drama to highlight some of the contrasts between ancient and modern production: Seq.l Beginning and end - brief extracts from a Bradfield College production of Euripides Bacchae, produced by Charles Lepper. Seq.2 BBC production of Sophocles Electra translated by E. F. Watling and directed by Michael Lindsey-Hogg. Extract from Electra by Sophocles: E. F. Watling - Translator, Eileen Atkins - Electra, Martin Shaw - Orestes, Julian Glover - Aegisthus, Derek Godfrey - Tutor and Susan Richards - Chorus
In this programme, Eric Handley, Professor of Greek, University College, London and Director of the Institute of Classical Studies, London, looks at the forms of the Theatre in Ancient Greece and a...t some of the visual evidence relating to the performance of plays during the 4th and 5th centuries BC. Professor Handley uses sequences of classical drama to highlight some of the contrasts between ancient and modern production: Seq.l Beginning and end - brief extracts from a Bradfield College production of Euripides Bacchae, produced by Charles Lepper. Seq.2 BBC production of Sophocles Electra translated by E. F. Watling and directed by Michael Lindsey-Hogg. Extract from Electra by Sophocles: E. F. Watling - Translator, Eileen Atkins - Electra, Martin Shaw - Orestes, Julian Glover - Aegisthus, Derek Godfrey - Tutor and Susan Richards - Chorus
| Module code and title: | A292, Greece 478-336BC |
|---|---|
| Item code: | A292; 06 |
| First transmission date: | 04-04-1979 |
| Published: | 1979 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:35 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Mary Hoskins |
| Contributor: | Eric Handley |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Architecture; Drama |
| Footage description: | Opening shots show the theatre at Delphi, then film of a Bradfield College production of Bacchae by Euripides - Eric Handley briefly outlines the development of Greek theatres to the 5th century BC. Shots of the theatre at Epidavros, which he describes. Using an animated diagram he divides classical Greek theatres into 3 parts: seating, orchestra, stage. Shots of a modern Greek rural dancing platform. Over a variety of shots depicitng the theatre of Dionysos at Athens Handley considers its original form. A drawing shows its 6th century appearance. Using film of the theatre of Dionysos and graphic reconstructions Handley discusses the appearance of the scene. He also considers the changing relationship between actors and chorus. Shots of theatres at Ephesus and Orange. From the studio Handley introduces a BBC TV version of Soohocles' play Electra. The opening and closing scenes of the BBC production are shown. Handley comments on the BBC excerpts, emphasising its modern production. He lists different kinds of evidence for how the plays were produced in classical times. He shows pages from a Euripides manuscript held in the British Library and considers the usefulness of such evidence. He quotes from one play to show how Sophocles set the scene for his play by means of its dialogue. Brief shot of entrance to British Museum. From the Greek vase room Handley indicates how details on a number of pots provide evidence relating to the production of classical plays. The vases provide information about the subjects of plays and the design of the theatres. Handley examines a number of Greek statuettes in the museum for evidence relating to plays. In particular they relate to examples of Greek comedy. He describes how such pieces were sold outside theatres as souvenirs. Vase paintings are used to show actors at work. Finally, Handley contrasts Greek productions with the modern theatre. Further extract from the Bradfield College production of Euripides' Bacchae. Shots of theatre at Delphi. |
| Production number: | FOUA024R |
| Videofinder number: | 3799 |
| Available to public: | no |
