Is the Greek crisis playing out in its theatres?

People looking out to the city of Athens from Herodion's theatre, an arena that is still used today for performances. Photo: AFP

On a stiflingly hot summer night, the ancient Greek amphitheatre of Epidaurus is packed to capacity for a performance of a 2,400-year-old play by Aristophanes - testimony to Greeks' enduring love of theatre despite years of grinding economic crisis.

While cash-strapped Greeks forgo the cinema and other luxuries, theatre ticket sales are booming - even if theaters struggle to cover their costs and actors often go unpaid.