1. It’s all Greek to me
The phrase ‘Thespian’ is the posh word for an actor or actress. It derives from an ancient Greek fella called Thespis who was the originator of the Greek Tragedy.

2. A laugh a minute
Greek Tragedies were the first plays written by the likes of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides between 525-407 BC. They dealt with the downfall of heroic classical figures, which is why they were termed as ‘tragedies’.

3. Blood and gore
These three playwrights were liberal with the blood and gore onstage. Sophocles is best known for his Oedipus trilogy, which tells the story of the tragic Oedipus, who accidentally marries his own mother, and then stabs his own eyes out in horror.

4. Over the hill
Greek plays were performed in large outdoor amphitheatres. Carved into the hillsides, many of these ancient structures still survive today. The best preserved is at Epdavros, which could seat 14,000 people. Plays are still performed there today.

5. Blokes wearing make-up
Make-up is used in theatres to colour the skin, as otherwise it tends to look washed-out and deathly grey under theatrical lighting. Powder will also stop your sweaty forehead beaming like a car’s fog lights.