Account of the Harvard Greek Play

In May 1881, students of Harvard University performed Sophocles’ masterpiece, Oedipus Tyrannus, in the original Greek. Witnessed by 6,000 people, this performance was reported far and wide, and has gone down in theatre history as a huge success which excited almost universal enthusiasm. Henry Norman’s 1882 book commemorates the performance, providing a record of permanent value for every student of Sophocles. Norman describes the background to the decision to stage the play, and presents key information on Sophocles and the characteristics of Greek tragedy. He then recounts the performance in detail, describing the aspects of the play which made it such a memorable experience, including the music, the setting and the scholarship. The book includes a transcript of the programme and illustrations showing some of the costumes and key moments of the play. It provides a fascinating contemporary account of this landmark in the modern revival of classical Greek theatre.