THEATRE OF THE CONDEMNED. Classical Tragedy on Greek Prison Islands.

Second printing. Publisher's original black cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in the illustrated dustwrapper. With five black and white illustrations throughout. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, with a little rubbing to the spine tips. The contents are clean throughout, and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper, which has a small closed tear to the lower rear panel.

'In this pioneering study, Gonda Van Steen examines the productions of classical tragedies staged by political prisoners of the Greek Civil War. She first explains the historical and political context in which these productions originated, the selections made by the prisoners, and the practical conditions under which the performances were mounted, devoting attention, too, to the prison authorities' acts of censorship. Her main focus, however, is on the interpretation that the political detainees gave to their productions and the rationale behind specific readings. The book includes the text of an adaptation of Antigone, in the original Greek and in English translation, written by the Russian-born Greek poiet and dramatist Aris Alexandrou, who was one of the prisoners. Van Steen's study, which draws upon much original source material, will enrich our understanding of modern Greece, of national identities, and of the politics of trauma and cultural memory' (publisher's blurb). Forms part of the publisher's Classical Presences series.