One of the highlights of the Classics calendar at King’s is the annual Greek Play.
Although classical drama has been performed at the university since the late nineteenth century, the Greek Play in its current form was inaugurated in 1953. King’s remains the only university in the country to perform a piece of Greek drama wholly or partially in the original language each and every academic year.
The play is overseen by national-touring theatre company Actors of Dionysus, ‘the UK’s leading interpreters of ancient Greek drama’ who have been performing Greek tragedy, comedy and new writing inspired by myth, since 1993.
This year’s production, The Clouds- adapted by Giulia Balsamo after Aristophanes- explores the tension between fate and freedom, bringing ancient voices to life with a bold, contemporary edge. We’re excited to build a team that will help bring this vision to life from page to stage.
King's Greek Play 3-5 March 2026: The Clouds
"Does being righteous equate to being right? Can democracy endure in a post-truth world? This reinterpretation of Aristophanes’ The Clouds explores the dangers of idealism and intellectualism in their emptiest forms. In today’s political climate, rife with propaganda and violence, it feels more urgent than ever to reflect on the strategies we choose and the sacrifices we are willing to make in the pursuit of a better world. I am thrilled to be directing this year’s KCL Greek Play and eager to begin this journey." -Director
The production will feature two matinee performances and three evening soirées at the Greenwood Theatre (SE1 3RA)
Guest speakers:
Tuesday: Dr Naomi Scott (University of Bristol)
Wednesday: Professor James Robson (The Open University)
Thursday: Professor Peter Meineck (NYU/ICS)