Performing Greek Comedy

Description

Alan Hughes presents a new complete account of production methods in Greek comedy. The book summarises contemporary research and disputes, on such topics as acting techniques, theatre buildings, masks and costumes, music and the chorus. Evidence is re-interpreted and traditional doctrine overthrown. Comedy is presented as the pan-Hellenic, visual art of theatre, not as Athenian literature. Recent discoveries in visual evidence are used to stimulate significant historical revisions. The author has directly examined 350 vase scenes of comedy in performance and actor-figurines, in 75 collections, from Melbourne to St Petersburg. Their testimony is applied to acting techniques and costumes, and women's participation in comedy and mime. The chapters are arranged by topic, for convenient reference by scholars and students of theatre history, literature, classics and drama. Overall, the book provides a fresh practical insight into this continually developing subject.

Alan Hughes is Professor Emeritus, University of Victoria, a theatre historian and professional who has operated his own repertory company. Published research includes Henry Irving, Shakespearean, an account of the actor-manager's productions, and his edition of Titus Andronicus in the New Cambridge Shakespeare series. In 2006 the T. B. L. Webster Fellowship recognised his contributions to the archaeology of Greek theatre, leading to the completion of Performing Greek Comedy.

'[Hughes'] experience, combined with a thorough bibliography and first-hand examination of 350 artefacts, results in a solid introduction to the performance of Greek comedy ... all readers will find ample opportunities in the thorough notes and bibliography to delve more deeply into the questions and controversies of the subject.' Scott Farrington, Theatre Research International