The Living Art of Greek Tragedy

Marianne McDonald brings together her training as a scholar of classical Greek with her vast experience in theatre and drama to help students of the classics and of theatre learn about the living performance tradition of Greek tragedy. The Living Art of Greek Tragedy is indispensable for anyone interested in performing Greek drama, and McDonald's engaging descriptions offer the necessary background to all those who desire to know more about the ancient world. With a chapter on each of the three major Greek tragedians (Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides), McDonald provides a balance of textual analysis, practical knowledge of the theatre, and an experienced look at the difficulties and accomplishments of theatrical performances. She shows how ancient Greek tragedy, long a part of the standard repertoire of theatre companies throughout the world, remains fresh and alive for contemporary audiences.

Marianne McDonald is Professor of Classics and Theatre at the University of California, San Diego, and a member of the Royal Irish Academy. The author of more than 160 publications, she pioneered modern versions of the classics. Many of her translations/versions have been staged. Her books include Euripides in Cinema: The Heart Made Visible; Ancient Sun/Modern Light: Greek Drama on the Modern Stage; Sing Sorrow: Ancient Classics in Modern Opera; and the forthcoming Space, Time and Silence: The Craft of Athol Fugard. She has six children, five grandchildren, and a black belt in karate.