Aeschylus’ Agamemnon is one of the greatest tragedies ever written. Composed in Classical Athens when the Parthenon had not yet been built and Christianity was still far in the future, the Agamemnon has been continuously admired over the past 2,500 years. It features unforgettable characters including Agamemnon, a great king who can be counted on to make the wrong decision; Clytemnestra, the queen who has decided not to put up with him any more; Cassandra, a divinely inspired prophet; and a chorus of wise but ineffective old men.
Youth drama performance of a different Greek play.
This workshop will culminate at 4 pm in a fully costumed performance of a shortened version of the Agamemnon (15-20 minutes long), in which all workshop participants will have parts. Family and friends are encouraged to come watch; admission is free. In preparation for that performance, you will learn the basics of drama and performance in a fun, relaxed way; explore the Ancient Greeks and their mythology; immerse yourself in the play and its characters; and rehearse individually or in small groups, coached by experts in ancient drama. All props and costumes will be provided, and no memorisation is needed as scripts can be carried in the performance.
(Tickets £45, or £80 if combined with the comedy workshop on Wednesday 26th August).
This workshop is designed for ages 8-16, but older and younger participants may be welcomed on a case-by-case basis. All participants must have good reading skills and be able to concentrate on the collective goal of a successful performance.
The workshop will be held in and around the reconstructed Roman villa at Butser Ancient Farm, admission to which is included in the workshop fee. There will be a lunch break and two snack breaks, for which you should bring their own food and beverages.
Workshop leader - Jacinta Hunter
The workshop will be led by Jacinta Hunter, who has worked extensively in theatre and performing arts since 2015 and in children’s education since 2017. Jacinta has recently completed a degree in Classical Studies at the University of Reading, where she joined the Ancient Schoolroom team. It is with great delight that she is now able to combine all her loves in bringing this Greek drama workshop to Butser Ancient Farm. She is excited to share her passion for theatre and classics with a new generation of actors and historians!
This workshop is offered in partnership with the Reading Ancient Schoolroom, an educational charity started at the University of Reading in 2014 with the aim of bringing Roman schools to life and sharing them with today’s children. The Ancient Schoolroom will be in residence at Butser’s Roman villa from 19-25 August 2026, offering a range of workshops and drop-in activities. Members of the ancient schoolroom team, including Professor Eleanor Dickey and students and alumni of the University of Reading, will assist Jacinta.
Jacinta and her 2025 helpers.
If you have any mobility concerns, special requirements, or other practical questions, please contact admin@butserancientfarm.co.uk. For questions about workshop content or participants outside the expected age range, please contact the Reading Ancient Schoolroom at E.Dickey@reading.ac.uk.