Thank you Perth, Western Australia, for embracing outdoor ancient Greek theatre. 400 people and 7 schools attended Sophocles’ Oedipus the King at Kings Park Amphitheatre in the heart of the city overlooking the Swan River. Scholars, the public and schools praised the production.
Dr Neil O’Sullivan, Ancient Greek and Latin expert, PhD Cambridge, teacher of the Oedipus play in English and in Ancient Greek for 30 years said: “Thank you for the performance, which I found both true to the text and to the conditions of original production (inasmuch as we can know these). I also found it moving, cathartic as Aristotle would have said. No wonder he speaks more highly of this tragedy than of any other. Seeing it performed yesterday was like going to a well-loved opera: you know what it going to happen but the re-presentation makes the dramatic brilliance of the structure live again. Well done!”
Ayako (audience member) said: “I had no idea Greek theatre was so exciting. That was amazing.”
Teacher Kholoud Swayd from Al-Ameen College, an independent Islamic co-educational school, said: “The students thought it was amazing. After the performance they jumped up on to the stage and started acting out the scenes.”
The Greek Government Consul in Perth Ms Eleni Georgopoulou said: “I would like to congratulate you on a most powerful performance.”
