Eleanor OKell is involved with the piece as a writer, costumier, mask-maker, director and academic expert. A Visiting Research Fellow in the Department of Classics at the University of Leeds, Eleanor is an expert on Greek tragedy, with a particular interest in performance, and works on the way classical texts and images are used by later societies and in different media. She is familiar with the Greek and Roman underworlds through her Classical Civilisation degree (Manchester), research interests and university teaching (Leeds and Nottingham), while her side interest in Egyptology is supporting the Egyptian side of the piece. Eleanor also has a keen interest in amateur theatre, in which she has acted (e.g. Titania twice, Rosie Probert, Granny Weatherwax, and all the madmen in Thomas Middleton's The Changeling), directed (Macbeth, Shakers), co-directed (The Changeling, Alcestis), painted set, made props and costumes, rigged lights and designed programmes. She is delighted to be writing scripts for Underworlds Live in Leeds and really delighted to have finished all the masks and costumes! Dr. OKell will be found on Friday 8th October 2010 in the Ancient Worlds gallery of Leeds City Museum in her academic robes - including doctoral bonnet - to answer questions...
Robert Elliott is involved with the piece as a writer, route planner, photographer and long-term fan of Light Night. Robert gained a Masters in Classical Civilisation from the Department of Classics at the University of Leeds and chose to remain in Leeds after graduating. His academic work on Ptolemaic Egypt has led to his wider interest in the development of architecture, art and literature in multi-cultural societies. Robert's knowledge of Leeds and its industrial and architectural history has led to the identification of appropriate sites and myths for Underworlds Live at Leeds and his research in the Leeds Mercury archives is providing material for the information points.
We are both firm supporters of the Department of Classics at the University of Leeds and members of the local branch of the Classical Association, which holds meetings in the University and runs events to support the teaching of classics and classical civilisation in Yorkshire schools. The programme of academic and CA branch talks on classical topics is publicised through the Department of Classics' website from mid-September and all are welcome to attend.
