Actors of Dionysus
During Enrichment Week, K10 was transformed into an ancient Greek theatre as our Year 10 Latin students took part in an immersive Greek Tragedy workshop led by Mark from Actors of Dionysus and facilitated by our own Miss Meacher and Miss Fisher.
Founded in 1993, the company is dedicated to bringing ancient myths to life and highlighting their enduring relevance for modern audiences: I think they did exactly that!
The workshop challenged many students' preconceptions about classical theatre. Rather than mimicking modern acting styles, the students discovered the immense scale of ancient productions, where actors had to project across massive theatres seating up to 15,000 people. They learned about the specific terminology and unique physical techniques required for classical performance, learning how exaggerated movements, vocal strength and expressive masks were used to convey emotion across vast spaces.
Students kicked off the session with a lively, physical game of "The Lion, Hercules, and Omphale," before focusing on the story of Oedipus. Students explored Sophocles’ powerful themes, appreciating how open the myth remains to modern interpretation. They gained a deeper understanding of the vital role the chorus played in structuring Greek Tragedies and directing their emotional impact.
Then, they put their newfound knowledge into practice by working in groups to design their own physical "freeze-frames," (or should that be “frieze”? …a little Greek art joke for you…) capturing the play’s key moments and themes. Ultimately, the workshop improved the Year 10s’ understanding of classical literature but, through Mark’s energetic and fun leadership, also showed them just how powerful, dramatic, and relevant these ancient stories remain today.
One student summed up the experience: “Hysterical, historical, happily do it again!”
We intend to bring the Actors of Dionysus back as an annual instalment to the Classical Calendar at BGS.
Mr Risdon, Head of Classics
Quotations:
“I thoroughly enjoyed today’s workshop. I learnt so much about the structure and emotional impact of these ancient plays, especially the chorus's role. I really enjoyed the engaging discussions and how we explored the enduring relevance of these powerful stories.”
Arelys Almarales, Year 10
“I knew about classical theatre before the workshop, but I was under the impression that they just did it in the same way they do in modern theatre, but I learnt that they stood far from the audience and did very loud physical theatre.”
Thomas Messam-Gates, Year 10
