Greek Theatre Production

Greek Theatre Production, first published in 1956, is based on an expert knowledge of Greek plays and monuments. In this second edition from 1970, Professor Webster made additions and corrections to bring it up to date. Scenery, staging and costumes are the three main topics. These are treated chronologically within geographical areas, and evidence is given for local productions of drama throughout the Greek-speaking world from the sixth century B.C. to the Roman period. The survival of local pre-dramatic performances, which may have affected local dramatic costume, is examined here. A final chapter collects the local evidence into a continuous story, tracing the history of staging, scenery and costumes from the earliest times, and gives full weight to the dominating influence of Athens during the fifth and fourth centuries B.C., and the international character of Hellenistic production. A catalogue lists over 250 of the most important monuments, of which about 40 are illustrated and includes many which would not have been found in the usual textbooks at the time.