Karolos Koun, the Hellenic Art Theatre and the practice via Stanislavsky’s influence: a research towards a contemporary interpretation of ancient Hellenic drama.

Abstract

The objective of this MPhil in Performance Practice Research was to investigate Karolos Koun and the Hellenic Art Theatre via Stanislavsky’s work and influence, in order to reveal potential relationships through practice-based labour. This was done with a view to developing a contemporary actor-training approach for modern staging of ancient Hellenic drama. This research explores through fieldwork interviews, existing scholarship and practical investigation Karolos Koun’s approach to the actor, acting and actor training, in relation to Stanislavsky and contemporary Hellenic theatre practice. I have drawn on my own apprenticeship as a student and my professional experience as an actor, teacher, director and researcher. Based on these areas, my intention was to investigate and reveal the Koun – Stanislavsky relationship (connections, influences, similarities, differences, material and tools usage), both theoretically and practically, supported by interviews I conducted about Koun and the Art Theatre practices he evolved, with people involved with Koun and the Art Theatre from different periods. Discoveries in the research-as-practice workshops about Koun’s use of Stanislavsky allows us a deeper understanding of contemporary Hellenic actor training and practice, and may assist future practitioners and researchers to consider for their working scope. The research also revealed the significance and influence of Koun for contemporary Hellenic theatre and the value of this research in understanding a Hellenic tradition of actor-training.