2026 UCL Classical Play - Pre-show Talks

This year’s UCL Classical Play is Iphigenia by Euripides, a production that is part of the UCL200 programme of events to celebrate the university’s 200th anniversary. 

The UCL department of Greek and Latin are committed to bringing these productions to the widest possible audience. 

For each production, we run a programme of free pre-show talks for ticket holders. These are led by leading academics and theatre experts.

Pre-show talks

These talks are open to all ticket holders for Iphigenia before the show. Each talk lasts for 45 minutes.

The talks will take place in the theatre auditorium, except for the talk on Wednesday 11 February (‘On Iphigenia’) which will be in the Bloomsbury Studio.

11 February, 6.15pm to 7pm - ‘On Iphigenia’

Led by Professor Pantelis Michelakis, Director of the Archive of Performances of Greek and Roman Drama and Associate Professor of Classical Reception, University of Oxford. 

This talk is taking place in the Bloomsbury Studio. You must book your place in advance as space is limited.

12 February, 1.30pm to 2.15pm - ‘On Iphigenia: Power, Sacrifice, Empire’

Led by:

• Dr Matthura Umachandran - Lecturer in Classics, Ancient History, Religion, and Theology at the University of Exeter
• Dr Marchella Ward - Lecturer in Classical Studies at the Open University 

13 February, 1.30pm to 2.15pm - ‘On Iphigenia: In Reception’

Led by Professor Fiona Macintosh, Emeritus Professor of Classical Reception and Senior Research Fellow, St Hilda’s College, University of Oxford.

13 February, 6.30pm-7.15pm - ‘On Iphigenia: Greek Tragedy in Performance’

Led by:

• Dr Ezra Baudou - dramaturg and researcher
• Struan Leslie - Head of Movement at the Royal Welsh College
• Professor Fiona Macintosh - Emeritus Professor of Classical Reception and Senior Research Fellow, St Hilda’s College, University of Oxford

Find out more about the 2026 UCL Classical Play, Iphigenia.

2026 marks UCL’s 200th Anniversary and a year of Bicentennial activity and celebration. Visit the UCL200 website to explore the full programme and learn how you can get involved.

Learn more about what our community in UCL Arts & Humanities are doing to celebrate the bicentenary.