Chapter 10 - Adaptations of Greek Tragedies in Non-Western Performance Cultures

Summary

This chapter refutes the notion (still widely held) that the ever-growing number of performances of Greek tragedies worldwide is due to their 'universality'. Instead, the chapter argues, such performances are evidence of 'pluri-locality'. Referring to the performance histories of Greek tragedies in West Africa and India as former colonies, and in Japan and China, this study explores the very specific conditions under which Greek tragedies were staged, and the potential purposes they were meant to serve in each case. The fact of their adaptation as well as its mode is traced back to conditions unique to each performance culture, placing the focus firmly on the different forms of localisation by which they were made productive for each local context. Presenting such productions at international theatre festivals appears as both a promising and a popular way to present a traditional performance aesthetic to international audiences.