Summary
Greek is a verse play by Steven Berkoff. It was first performed at The Half Moon Theatre, London on 11 February 1980. It is a retelling of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex. Berkoff wrote:
| Greek | |
|---|---|
 Poster advertising the 1988 production of Greek at the Wyndham's Theatre. | |
| Written by | Steven Berkoff |
| Based on | Oedipus Rex by Sophocles |
| Date premiered | 11 February 1980 |
| Place premiered | Half Moon Theatre, London |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Verse drama |
| Setting | London's East End |
"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."[1]
Notable productions edit
World premiere[2]
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[2]
29 June 1988 at the Wyndham's Theatre, 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 edit
The play was used as the basis for a well-received opera of the same name composed by Mark-Anthony Turnage and first performed in 1988.[3]
Further reading edit
- Berkoff, Steven (2020). "18". A World Elsewhere. Routledge. pp. 93–98. ISBN 978-0-367-35687-3.
References edit
- ^ Berkoff, Steven (1989) [1980], "Greek", Decadence and Other Plays, London: Faber and Faber, ISBN 0-571-14073-4
- ^ a b Berkoff, Steven (2000). Steven Berkoff: Plays One (Revised ed.). Faber and Faber. p. 99. ISBN 0-571-20721-9.
- ^ Ewans, Michael, Opera from the Greek: Studies in the poetics of appropriation, Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2007, p. 183. ISBN 0-7546-6099-0
External links edit
- Greek webpage on the Half Moon Stages website