The Theatre of Dionysus

What a huge complex of buildings. I wasn't prepared for the immensity of it all. It is easy to see why the Greeks were able to conquer most of the world from here. It is a long way up, but thanks to my walking practice in Romania, I am going up the hill, cutting through the rocky swath out to the edge to see Athens far below. We walk south from the city up the hill, finally arriving at the eastern end at the entrance to the Theatre of Dionysus. I have read about this place for years. I have described this first theatre to my classes for years. And now I am finally here to see it. It is gigantic. It seats 5,000 and each one of the seats has a fabulous view of the stage. The seats have been rebuilt with a beautiful white stone. A new stage has been built above the original one and there is a technical platform built above the seats for the sound and light crews to work from. This is where Yanni – Live at the Acropolis was recorded and I am sure there have been other performers as well.

This theatre is built into the side of the cliff face. The seats are carved out of the cliff above the stage area which sits on a ledge farther down the cliff. Looking to the stage from any seat affords a spectacular view of Athens and the mountains beyond. There are enough remnants of the original building that I can imagine a play in progress. I see the Chorus walking out onto the stage, followed by Thespis to say his lines to begin a new play. It is late afternoon and the city stretches out behind them, rising into the mountains. The sun beats down as Thespis and the Chorus move through the script. 5,000 Athenians sitting on the marble seats, watching and listening intently. They can see through the arches to the city beyond. Too far to hear the sounds of the city, they will spend the day here watching several plays and dining on picnic lunches on the grass outside the theatre in between the plays.

As the Chorus leaves the stage for the last time, the audience cheers and then turns to talk with those around them. The sunset is changing the sky from brilliant blue to purple and then black. Stars twinkle in the sky as the revelers finally head for home.