Forever Young? Coro, attori e pubblico alla ricerca di Dioniso

Is classical theatre condemned to grow old, and die? Or may it stay ‘’forever young”’, and how? We look for a possible answer, by comparing some recent examples (a few Italian companies where old and new members intertwine, and work together) and others, which seem to have “Nothing to do with Dionysus” (as ancient Greeks used to say). On one hand, such productions try to revitalize classical texts, and to capture young audiences, by borrowing cheap tricks from other medias: TV series, comics, cartoons, or even from horror movies (we named this last trend “The Dionys Horror Show”). On the other hand, best practices in theatres and at school, possibly combined together, may help young and older audiences to appreciate classical texts (both as spectators and as actors), or even to “meet Dionysus”, and to “fall in love” with theatre.