''Greek'' is a verse

play Play most commonly refers to: * Play (activity), an activity done for enjoyment * Play (theatre), a work of drama Play may refer also to: Computers and technology * Google Play, a digital content service * Play Framework, a Java framework * P ...

Steven Berkoff Steven Berkoff (born Leslie Steven Berks; 3 August 1937) is an English actor, author, playwright, theatre practitioner and theatre director. As a theatre maker he is recognised for staging work with a heightened performance style known as "Be ...

. It was first performed at The Half Moon Theatre, London on 11 February 1980. It is a retelling of

Sophocles Sophocles ( 497/496 – winter 406/405 BC)Sommerstein (2002), p. 41. was an ancient Greek tragedian known as one of three from whom at least two plays have survived in full. His first plays were written later than, or contemporary with, those ...

' ''

Oedipus Rex ''Oedipus Rex'', also known by its Greek title, ''Oedipus Tyrannus'' (, ), or ''Oedipus the King'', is an Athenian tragedy by Sophocles. While some scholars have argued that the play was first performed , this is highly uncertain. Originally, to ...

''. Berkoff wrote:

"''Greek'' came to me via Sophocles, trickling its way down the millennia until it reached the unimaginable wastelands of Tufnell Park ... In my eyes, Britain seemed to have become a gradually decaying island, preyed upon by the wandering hordes who saw no future for themselves in a society which had few ideals or messages to offer them."

Notable productions

World premiere 11 February 1980 at the Half Moon Theatre, London.
Directed by Steven Berkoff. * Eddy & Fortune-teller - Barry Philips * Dad & Manager of cafe - Matthew Scurfield * Wife, Doreen & Waitress 1 - Linda Marlowe * Mum, Sphinx & Waitress 2 - Janet Amsden The production transferred in September 1980 to the Arts Theatre Club, with Deirdre Morris replacing Janet Amsden. 1988 London revival 29 June 1988 at the

Wyndham's Theatre Wyndham's Theatre is a West End theatre, one of two opened by actor/manager Charles Wyndham (the other is the Criterion Theatre). Located on Charing Cross Road in the City of Westminster, it was designed c. 1898 by W. G. R. Sprague, the arch ...

, London.
Directed by Steven Berkoff. * Eddy & Fortune-teller - Bruce Payne * Dad & Manager of cafe - Steven Berkoff * Wife, Doreen & Waitress 1 - Gillian Eaton * Mum, Sphinx & Waitress 2 - Georgia Brown

Opera adaptation

The play was used as the basis for a well-received

opera Opera is a form of History of theatre#European theatre, Western theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by Singing, singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically ...

of the same name composed by

Mark-Anthony Turnage Mark-Anthony Turnage (born 10 June 1960) is an English composer of contemporary classical music. Life and career Mark-Anthony Turnage was born in Corringham, Essex on 10 June 1960. Turnage was the eldest of three children. His parents were lov ...

and first performed in 1988.Ewans, Michael
''Opera from the Greek: Studies in the poetics of appropriation''
Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2007, p. 183.

References

External links

''Greek'' webpage on the Half Moon Stages website
Plays by Steven Berkoff 1980 plays Plays based on Oedipus Rex Plays adapted into operas Plays set in London Modern adaptations of works by Sophocles {{1980s-play-stub

Notable productions

Opera adaptation

Further reading

References

External links