On April 16, 1914 in the wonderful setting of the Greek Theatre of Syracuse debuted the Agamemnon by Aeschylus, thanks to the INDA (National Institute of Ancient Drama). This Foundation has a mission: bring back the representations of the ancient drama in their “natural space”.
Greek dramas are born in ancient Greece and reach their climax in the 5th century BC. The first theatres were built on the hillsides, to take advantage of the natural slope of them and the magnificent acoustics that could be enjoyed. In the Greek drama a mythical past was narrated, to address problems of modern society, the arguments are in fact those of Greek mythology: vengeance, supplication and madness. In addition to women and children, the less well-off were also admitted to the shows, so as to be an instrument of education for the whole community. The protagonist has always to face a terrible fact, where he has to choose between alternatives, both painful. During the year the performances took place on the occasion of the three religious festivals for Dionysus, god of theatre.
Since 1914 the Greek drama mainly represented at the Greek theatre of Syracuse are the “Agamemnon” and “The Libation Bearers” by Aeschylus, “Antigone” and “Oedipus Rex”, “The Bacchae” and “Iphigenia in Tauris” by Euripides and “The Clouds” by Aristophanes.
The concept behind the Greek dramas of this season are the hidden truths:
– There are no truths in the drama “The Bacchae”, but continuous metamorphoses and upheavals, the essence of the story is the very unpredictability of life;
– “Iphigenia in Tauris” is a tragedy full of twists, tensions and misunderstandings, where it is necessary to hide the truth to survive;
– “The clouds” is a grotesque comedy, where the truth is hidden in man’s worst intentions, leading him to failure and catastrophe.
We recommend you once in your life to come and enjoy the performance of Greek dramas, as the Greeks had conceived it, immersed in nature and with a scenario that will leave you breathless.