On Friday 27th January,  students of Classical Civilisation were treated to one of the highlights of the year: attendance at the University of Warwick for the Department of Classics and Ancient History’s annual Ancient Drama Festival.  Hosted at the newly renovated premises of the Warwick Arts Centre, this year’s play was the comedy Assemblywomen by Aristophanes, directed and produced by students Hana Lawrie and Seb Handley with the usual mix of topsy turvy scenarios and jokes.

Supporting the performance were a series of lectures, discussions, and seminars specifically designed to link in with Greek, Classical Civilisation, Ancient History, Drama, and English syllabuses at GCSE and A-Level.  Professors Michael Scott and Eric Csapo once again delivered fascinating and entertaining lectures that set the play in its historical context, while Dr Natalia Tsoumpra of the University of Glasgow provided thought-provoking connections between ancient Athens and the more modern world with regard to gender expression.  Students enjoyed studying a part of their course in more detail, broadening their classical horizons, thinking more deeply about new angles on topics they have studied, and meeting, listening and talking to the academics whose works they have been studying in school. 

We are already looking forward to next year’s festival!

Mr J Hargreaves

Head of Classics