Once every three years, in a tradition dating back to 1880, the Oxford University Classical Drama Society offers audiences a Greek play performed in its original language. It is always a treat, but this year’s production of Clytemnestra (a new translation by Arabella Currie of Aeschylus’s The Libation Bearers) proved to be more enjoyable than ever for its admirable good looks (designer Rachel Beaconsfield Press) and fine performances under director Raymond Blankenhorn who lent a Japanese twist to the production.

Thanks to the use of surtitles in recent years, the problem of comprehension for those (many) of us unfamiliar with Greek is now a thing of the past. We are able to sit back and simpy relish the lovely sound.

I was surprised to discover from the programme that three of the five-strong chorus were not Greek ‘speakers’. What a slog it must have been to learn the lines, since this quintet plays a prominent part in the drama. Well done to all five actors — Dionne Farrell, Mary Flanigan, Carla Suthren, Isabella Vernon and Georgia Waters.

During the whole of the first half of the play there is no appearance at all from the title character. Instead, the action focuses on Clytemnestra’s offspring, Electra (Amber Husain) and Orestes (Jack Noutch). Aware of her involvement in the death of their father, Agamemnon, the two ponder their revenge at his tomb.

Later the action shifts to the royal palace where Orestes prepares for the bloody execution of Clytemnestra (Lucy Jackson) and her new lover and co-conspirator Aegisthus (Nicholas West).