The core of the book focuses on tragic costume in its original performance context of fifth-century Athens, but the implications of subsequent uses in Roman and more recent performances are also taken into consideration.Most importantly, the reader is invited to think about how tragic costume worked as a language in ancient performance and was manipulated physically and verbally in order to create meaning. Elements of this language are shown through a series of test cases from a range of ancient tragedies. All ancient passages are given in translation and the book includes a glossary of terms.

At the peak of its perfection in the fifth century B.C., the glory of classical Greek drama was matched by the magnificence of its costumes. Iris Brooke, the author of many lively books on fashion, describes how performers were dressed in plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, and explains how the actors' need for effective movement and performance influenced the cut of their costumes. Topics cover textiles and civil attire, armor, insignia of gods and goddesses, jewelry, masks, headdresses, and garments worn by the chorus. Unabridged republication of the volume originally published by Theatre Arts Books, New York, 1962. 53 black-and-white illustrations. Index.

Costume production distinguishes early civilization from the Paleolithic era as much as architectural production. Costume transcends boundaries, as it first unites and then divides mankind. The mode of dress differentiates friend from foe and peasant from prince. Changes in the appearance and types of garments through the ages are a significant indicator of social, economic and chronological changes. This annotated bibliography of 603 references, taken from monographs, dissertations, festschrifts, periodicals, encyclopedias and handbooks, is the most comprehensive research tool for the subject of ancient Greek costume. This subject is of increasing interest to scholars in many fields, including archaeology and anthropology, art and art history, classics, drama, history, ancient literature, even modern literature. The references in this bibliography range from the encyclopedia entry to the monograph, and show a variety of themes: women's dress, men's dress, foreign dress, accessories, jewelry, headdresses, theater dress, textile production and literary evidence.

An explanation of Greek theater as seen through its many depictions in classical art

Draping Period Costumes provides you with the skill set you need to break away from two-dimensional patterns to drape three dimensional costumes. The basics of draping are explained in precise detail, followed by step-by-step draping projects from multiple historical periods. Packed with photographs that illustrate every seam, pleat, and tuck, you'll never be lost with this comprehensive guide. -Includes information on measurements, necessary tools, and basic rules of draping -Covers costumes for both men and women - Discusses appropriate period under garments and fabric choices Let expert draper Sharon Sobel teach you all you need to know to perfectly drape any period costume!

A history of ancient Greek drama including discussion of the drama competition, Oedipus the King, actors and the chorus, playwrights, and the legacy of Greece.

Reexamining the surviving plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes, the author discusses acting technique, scenery, the power and range of the chorus, the use of theatrical space, and parody in their plays. This edition includes notes on ancient mime and puppetry and how to read Greek playtexts as scripts.

This series of essays by prominent academics and practitioners investigates in detail the history of performance in the classical Greek and Roman world. Beginning with the earliest examples of 'dramatic' presentation in the epic cycles and reaching through to the latter days of the Roman Empire and beyond, this 2007 Companion covers many aspects of these broad presentational societies. Dramatic performances that are text-based form only one part of cultures where presentation is a major element of all social and political life. Individual chapters range across a two thousand year timescale, and include specific chapters on acting traditions, masks, properties, playing places, festivals, religion and drama, comedy and society, and commodity, concluding with the dramatic legacy of myth and the modern media. The book addresses the needs of students of drama and classics, as well as anyone with an interest in the theatre's history and practice.

For anyone producing costumes on a small budget, whether for schools, colleges or amateur, semi-professional or professional groups, this basic introduction offers practical advice for every kind of play, together with drawings, diagrams and patterns from which to work. It includes sections onm Greek plays, medieval miracles and mysteries, Shakespeare, 17th-century, 18th-century, Victorian and Edwardian costume. each section covers the details of men's and women's clothes and accessories, as well as methods for adapting and simplifying the style of the period.