Ancient theatre under the Acropolis to be restored

A ruined theatre under the Acropolis, believed to be the birthplace of modern theatre, is to be partially restored.

The restoration of the Theatre of Dionysos will include extending and modernising surviving stone seats, but no new performances are planned there.

Works by playwrights such as Euripides and Sophocles premiered at the open air theatre more than 2,500 years ago.

Theatre first emerged as an artform in Athens in 6th Century BC, at a competition for playwrights held during the annual festival of Dionysos.