Women in Ancient Greece

Dyer and Textile Artist Rosie Maccurrach demonstrates the dyeing of Medea’s bloodied and mud-stained dress, worn by Helen McCrory in the final scenes of the 2014 production of Medea.

This film explores the role of women in Ancient Greek society and the representation of female identity in Antigone, Women of Troy and Medea. Dr Lucy Jackson, Teaching Fellow at King's College London & Knowledge Exchange Fellow at the Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH) looks back over these recent Greek productions at the National Theatre, featuring Helen McCrory and Jodie Whittaker. For background detail on Greek theatre productions at the National Theatre, see our online exhibit: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/u/0/exhibit/greek-tragedy-at-the-national-theatre/wRnC0fJ0

Find out more about the theatre of Ancient Greece, with this film that examines the role of the chorus, a defining aspect of the plays that emerged there between 500BC and 220BC. Dr Lucy Jackson, Teaching Fellow at King's College London & Knowledge Exchange Fellow at the Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH) looks back over some of the recent Greek productions at the National Theatre, and their portrayal of the collective voice of the chorus, featuring directors Katie Mitchell, Carrie Cracknell, Polly Findlay and actor Helen McCrory. For background detail on Greek theatre productions at the National Theatre, see our online exhibit: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/u/0/exhibit/greek-tragedy-at-the-national-theatre/wRnC0fJ0

Actor Helen McCrory, writer Ben Power and director Carrie Cracknell talk about Euripides' Medea as a contemporary story and how it is still a relevant play for today.

Historian Bettany Hughes and theatre scholar Oliver Taplin discuss the place of women in religion and their depiction as dangerous and tragic figures.

Helen McCrory talks to Genista McIntosh about her acting career and her experience preparing for the role of Medea in Ben Power's new version.

Forensic psychiatrist Christopher Cordess and academic Julia Stroud discuss the depiction of revenge killing in Medea, reflecting on the reality of similar actions and their psychological impact. This is a recording of a live Platform event.

Is Medea's behaviour determined by 'madness'? Classicist Edith Hall and psychiatrist Femi Oyebode discuss this question with Genista McIntosh. This is a recording of a live Platform event.

Director Carrie Cracknell and designer Tom Scutt talk to Kate Mosse about their collaboration on Medea in the Olivier Theatre. This is a recording of a live Platform event from August 2014.