Alice Roberts continues her train-based exploration of Ancient Greece this Saturday on Channel 4. In this episode, she visits the Sanctuary of Dionysus in the Penteli hills above Athens, exploring the origins of theatre with the help of local expert, Nike.
This isn’t just about ancient playwrights and masked performers; it’s about the very roots of Western storytelling. The episode examines how theatre, with its focus on dialogue, narrative, and public performance, laid the groundwork for something even more significant: the birth of democracy.
From Thespis, the legendary figure credited with inventing theatrical performance (hence the term “thespian”), to a discussion with the current Greek Minister of Culture about the controversial Elgin Marbles, this episode looks set to bridge the gap between ancient history and modern-day concerns. Join Alice Roberts for a fascinating ride this Saturday, March 22nd at 8:15 PM on Channel 4.
