‘Illuminated by the light of the sun’

Harrison’s engagement with ancient drama is not just textual and thematic; Trackers of Oxyrhynchus, The Labourers of Herakles, and The Kaisers of Carnuntum strove to re-create elements of original fifth-century Athenian performance conditions with one-off, ephemeral productions and open air-settings. This was a deliberate progression from Harrison’s Oresteia, directed by Peter Hall, which had explored the use of masks and an all-male ensemble, but in a conventional indoor setting, across a longer run. This chapter considers the stagecraft of Harrison’s early work, from the material setting of the productions to the performance style developed by the actors, including their vocal style, direct address, and the use of dance (particularly clogging). Drawing on interviews with original company members, including the subsequent work of director Barrie Rutter at Northern Broadsides, and the experience for actors of being involved in such ground-breaking work, it looks at the development of Harrison’s stagecraft, particularly when he began to direct his own productions. The political dimension of Harrison’s stagecraft, including the visibility of the audience, is explored. Inevitable compromises, such as the extended run of Trackers of Oxyrhynchus, initially designed as a one-off event, are considered, as are the tensions between Harrison’s artistic and intellectual project and the wider theatre community.