‘Aristophanic Performance as an all-inclusive event: audience participation and celebration in the modern staging of Aristophanic comedy'

In addressing the issue of classical reception in modern performance, this chapter considers the way in

which Greek director Karolos Koun has dealt with the systematic opportunities the Aristophanic plays

provide for audience participation and improvization. These occur through the comic characters’ frequent

aside remarks, the parabasis, and recurrent celebratory rituals. The democratic principle of audience

participation, which is inherent in Aristophanic comedy, seems particularly relevant to the entire notion

of ‘the democratic turn’ in classical receptions by allowing both performers and audiences to take an

active role in the performance experience of re-inventing the classical play. Although some may argue

that in Aristophanic comedy many verbal remarks or ancient festive occasions seem far removed from

the world of the spectator in order to prompt an exciting audience response, the reality of the

performance might suggest otherwise. In the realm of performance, there are many parameters that

shape the meaning of the play and the issue of updating topical references may in fact seem irrelevant

when it comes to conveying something of Aristophanic comedy’s vitality and cohesive function, which

brings people together.