Greek stage director Lilia Lytra and actress Maria Papanikolaou is being hosted by the Malta Drama Centre between until 24 February to work with local student-actors on a project focused on classical drama.

A classical literary expert and theatre director by profession, Ms Lytra will present a collage based on the tragedies of Aeschilus, Sophocles and Euripides.

Celebrated characters like Medea, Antigone, Electra, Clytaemnestra, Hekuba, Menelaus, Jason, Agamemnon, Orestes and Prometheus will be staged at the Drama Centre on the weekend, marking the completion of the project. The collage is in English.

Current student-actors have teamed up with tutors and established artistes like Marvic Cordina, Joe Pace and Anthony Ellul under the direction of Ms Lytra to present pieces which have become world-famous features of the classical repertory.

On the other hand, Ms Papanikolaou walks the boards as Sophocles’ Antigone, whose character is regarded as the classical statement which pits individual conscience against the central power of the State.

“Classical Greek drama not only expresses the dynamic nature of the myths,” explained Ms Lytra, who is based in Thessalonika, where she directs her own company.

“But it also provides a modern public with notions of deep psychology, critical consciousness and moral argument” adds the director.