UPDATE FROM GREECE

Greek Theatre Course Director Paul O’Mahony was in Greece earlier this month. Here’s an update from Paul sharing some of the upcoming highlights for Summer 2022.

I recently returned from a week in Greece, visiting some of the locations which will form part of the inaugural BADA Greek Theatre Program in 2022. It’s been over two years since I was last there (no prizes for guessing why), and it felt exhilarating to walk once again in the streets of Athens, Nafplio and Delphi. I was able to meet several of the experts who will be guiding us through these sites which hold such significance for Ancient Greek theatre, and to secure the brilliant facilities which will make this course a truly unique experience. I even found time to check out some restaurants which we’ll visit on the course (never let it be said I’m not thorough in my research).

The first stop on the course will be in Delphi, which offers one of the most stunning views in all of Greece. It’s instantly apparent why this place held such sway in the ancient world, and why it continues to draw visitors from across the globe today. We’ll have access to the ancient site, including its incredible (and incredibly well-preserved) ancient theatre, as well as teaching rooms with views down to Itea. From Delphi, our next stop will be Nafplio (with a couple of special excursions en route). Nafplio was the first capital of modern Greece and it is the perfect base for exploring the sites of Mycenae, Argos and the spectacular Theatre of Epidaurus.

I made my very first trip to Epidaurus during this recent visit and, despite numerous people preparing me, I could not believe what I saw and heard. The theatre is truly immense and as you approach the centre of the orchestra (its circular playing space) you can hear the crunch of the gravel underfoot echo back to you in perfect surround sound. Without raising your voice you can stand in the centre and be heard right at the very top of the auditorium – it was a magical experience.

While in Nafplio we’ll be collaborating with the theatre department of the University of the Peloponnese, and we’ll be based in the very centre of this beautiful city. We’ll finish our tour of Greece in Athens, the home of ancient tragedy (and comedy), and a remarkable, vibrant modern city. We’ll stay just a short walk from the Acropolis, and we’ll be following the route of the Panathenaic Procession. We’ll visit the Theatre of Dionysus, the Odeon of Atticus Herodes, and we’ll have access to some of the city’s incredible museums. We’ll have workshops led by Argyris Xafis, one of the National Theatre of Greece’s leading actors, and Sofia Paschou, a director and choreographer at the National Opera of Greece. My recent trip really brought home to me how special this course is – the combination of theory and practice, allied with the experience of visiting key sites in the presence of experts, is truly remarkable. I can’t wait to return to Greece in June with the first cohort of BADA students.

There will be more exciting announcements coming soon about the incredible institutions and people who will be our partners on this course. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about any aspect of the program. Applications close on 19th January.