Description of the project
Menander Redivivus is an innovative research initiative dedicated to the study of Menander -the most prominent representative of Athenian New Comedy (323–291 BCE)- and his reception in modern theatre. Despite his profound influence on Roman comedy, European theatre, and playwrights such as Shakespeare and Molière, Menander’s work has long been marginalized in both scholarship and modern productions.
The project addresses this gap by documenting, analysing, and making freely available information on 20th- and 21st-century productions of Menander’s comedies. At its core lies the creation of the first-ever digital archive exclusively devoted to the modern reception of Menander. This open-access platform will catalogue productions with comprehensive metadata, visual and audiovisual material. It will also provide resources for the study of Menander’s comedies, such as bibliographic references, selected publications, and talks, making it a valuable learning tool for scholars, students, and theatre practitioners.
As a starting point, the research will focus on productions staged in Cyprus, Greece, and England, where the largest concentration of Menandrean performances has taken place. This initial focus will lay the ground for a global expansion of the archive in the future.
Beyond building a digital archive, Menander Redivivus produces original research and promotes the integration of digital humanities into the study of ancient theatre. The project also organizes an International Conference, and develops a Vodcast series and an Edited Volume. In doing so, it not only preserves cultural heritage but also fosters new collaborations and encourages dialogue between academia and the dramatic arts.
