Greek Myths Unplugged
Why do we still retell Greek myths – what relevance do they have today?
Why are they still important to the modern Western World?
We’re excited to present three of the most loved and enduring Greek myths for free in partnership with Unicorn Theatre Online for School Years 3–7. This series of three new short plays by some of the UK’s most exciting writers have been creatively filmed and edited to bring theatre to life online for children.
Directed by the Unicorn Theatre’s Associate Director Rachel Bagshaw, the films reinvent and reimagine the original myths enabling pupils to explore the resonances of Greek Myths to today’s world anew. The three plays are :
- Narcissus adapted by E.V. Crowe
- King Midas & His Golden Touch adapted by Vanessa Kisuule
- Theseus & the Minotaur adapted by Alexandra Wood
Greek Myths Unplugged is a perfect accompaniment to KS2 and KS3 lessons on Ancient Greece and will support critical thinking and a continuing discussion in the classroom and beyond.
Greek Myths Unplugged is developed with the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Digital Accelerator for Arts and Culture.
The Prologue
Myth 1: Jessie and the Jellybeans (based on Midas and the Golden touch)
Jelly beans! Everywhere! If you could wish for anything and it was sure to come true, what would you wish for? Jessie gets given the Midas touch, and realises getting everything you ever asked for might not be so golden after all.
Myth 2: Ariadne on the Beach (based on Theseus and the Minotaur)
There comes a time in our lives when doing the right thing can mean sacrificing everything you’ve ever known. As Ariadne makes a choice and saves Theseus from the Minotaur, her world will never be the same again.
Myth 3: Narcissus adapted by E.V. Crowe
There’s taking a picture of yourself and then there is taking the picture of yourself. The perfect picture can be taken a million different ways. From selfies to filters, how would Narcissus fair in 2022? In one anonymous hotel room, armed with a smartphone, she’s about to find out.
The Epilogue
Creative Educational Resources
Accompanying each short play is additional video content that explores the stories from the perspective of the ‘Chorus’, written and performed by performance poet, Deanna Rodger, who directly addresses the viewers. The Chorus, creatively developed with children and teachers from partner schools, will guide us through each story exploring morals, ideas and themes.In addition, we are offering a free teacher pack with a series of class activities in which pupils become the Chorus as a way to explore the myths. Activities include curriculum-linked discussion topics and lesson plans on global mythology, providing a broad.
Greek Myths unplugged is developed with the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Digital Accelerator for Arts and Culture.
