This paper examines the performance of the Eumenides, as adapted and performed by 18 ANO theatre group. 18 ANO is the theatre group of the Drug dependence treatment unit 18 ANO of Attica's Psychiatric Hospital, which is based in Athens, Greece. Each year 18 ANO organises performances in the wider community with the aim of promoting social inclusion for people in recovery from alcohol and drug dependency. Their performances are usually adaptations of classical play-scripts, which operate as an allegory of recovery from addiction. Drawing on Jan CohenCruz's theory of 'engaging performance', this paper explores that the extent to which the adaptation of classic plays can be used successfully as an allegory of the participants' personal stories of overcoming addiction and stigmatisation. It proposes that the act of watching a classical play adapted by members of a drug dependency rehabilitation unit could potentially challenge the social stereotypes and misconception frequently associated with addiction.
This article explores factors by which participation in applied theatre has the potential to have an impact on problem drug and alcohol users by operating as what the author refers to as 'alternative substance'. In particular, the author seeks to examine the possibility of applied theatre
operating as an alternative form of 'escape' from their current community (a community of exclusion) and thereby functioning as a motivational force towards their social reintegration. The arguments proposed in this article will be supported by using examples of practice from an applied theatre
project that the author conducted in the organization Addiction Dependency Solutions (ADS) based in Oldham, Greater Manchester.
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