Durham Classics IAS Fellow directs National Theatre Play in Cyprus

As part of a series of events commemorating 50 years from the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, The Cyprus Theatre Organisation will perform 2024 Euripides’ The Phoenician Women, directed by Dr Magdalena Zira, IAS Fellow at Collingwood College. 

Durham Classics Professors Edith Hall and Arlene Holmes-Henderson, co-directors of the Advocating Classics Education project, have provided advice on public engagement and educational enrichment opportunities.

The Phoenician Women, from Euripides’ late period, is believed to have been written between 410 and 409 BC, during the last years of the Peloponnesian War, shortly after the Oligarchic Coup and the rule of the Four Hundred. The plot reveals the way in which the trauma of war passes down through generations, exploring ideas of reconciliation, peace, justice and equality. The play condenses all the most known aspects of the Theban Cycle into a single play and introduces some innovations. 

The Phoenician Women will be performed from 10-13 July at The Makarios III Amphitheatre School for the Blind in Lefkosia, the Ancient Theatre of Kourion in Lemesos from 19-20 July, the Paphos Ancient Odeon in Paphos on 24 July, the Pattihio Municipal Amphitheatre in Larnaca on 27 July within the framework of Larnaca Festival 2024, and the Municipal Amphitheatre of Deryneia in the Free Famagusta Area on 31 July. All performances will begin at 9:00pm. 

L-R: Professor Edith Hall, Dr Magdalena Zira, Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson at the Cyprus National Theatre, Nicosia

Find out more

• See the event listing and book tickets on The Cyprus Theatre Organisation's website.
• Learn more about Dr Magdalena Zira, Prof Edith Hall and Prof Arlene Holmes-Henderson.
• Find out more about our Classics and Ancient History Department, one of the largest in the UK, which ranks 2nd in the Complete University Guide by Subject 2024 and 6th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.