Many studies have been written on the Greek Civil War's political causes, characteristics, and repercussions, but Greece's theater history of those years seems to have been largely forgotten. This is unfortunate because the events of those decades have shaped the native Greek stage as well as the revival stage ever since. The theatrical debate then mirrored the contemporary turmoil and brought forth new readings of the ancient plays. This book introduces the classical performances that were staged by the political prisoners on the prison islands of the Greek Civil War (late 1940s through 1950s ... More

Many studies have been written on the Greek Civil War's political causes, characteristics, and repercussions, but Greece's theater history of those years seems to have been largely forgotten. This is unfortunate because the events of those decades have shaped the native Greek stage as well as the revival stage ever since. The theatrical debate then mirrored the contemporary turmoil and brought forth new readings of the ancient plays. This book introduces the classical performances that were staged by the political prisoners on the prison islands of the Greek Civil War (late 1940s through 1950s) and that became part of the important battle waged between the Greek Left and the Right for the stakes of the sociopolitical order. These performances open an alternative, culturally‐oriented perspective on the internecine military and political struggle at the onset of the Cold War. The book first explains the historical and political context in which the productions of ancient drama originated, the selections made by the prisoners, and the practical conditions under which the performances were mounted. It devotes ample attention, too, to acts of censorship exacted by the prison authorities. The book's main focus, however, is on the interpretation that the political detainees gave to their productions and to the rationale behind specific readings. Lastly, the book features an Antigone adaptation in the original Greek and in English translation that was written by Aris Alexandrou, one of the prisoners, and that extends the political and ideological spectrum of the classicizing productions.