The Sociopolitics of the Revivals of Classical Drama in Greece, Spain, and Italy in the 20th Century

Abstract

This thesis explores the revival of classical drama at ancient venues as a sociopolitical apparatus of the European nation-states in the 19th century. The modern use of Greco-Roman theatres, amphitheatres, and stadiums depended on social or artistic influences and interconnections. In particular, the Spanish and Greek cases developed parallelly and addressed similar sociopolitical concepts, while the Italian example worked as a model for their theatrical tradition in the first decades of the 20th century. In theatrical terms, the repertoire and orientation of classical drama were affected by (inter)national trends, while power relations among theatrical directors, companies, and institutions determined the course of these artistic traditions. Staging classical drama in Greece and Spain transformed Greco-Roman venues into sociopolitical powerhouses that generated collective narratives, theatrical modernization, and economic development. Despite the distinct degree of ideological engagement with classical culture, political conditions in Greece and Spain during the 19th and 20th centuries offer a space for reflection and critical comparison. In this context, this study discusses how historical realities led to the staging of classical drama at Greco-Roman venues and how each country appropriated and showcased this classical heritage as sociopolitical capital.