27-06-2008

More documents

Recommendations

Info

An inextricable part of the Greek Festival, the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus is known for its performances of ancient Greek tragedies and comedies, which until very recently comprised most of its repertoire. First up in the series of ancient poets’ works is Aristophanes’ classic comedy “The Frogs” (Vatrachoi). The Greek National Theater production, titled “Vatra- X,” indicating a different twist on the classic tale, will premiere at the European Cultural Center of Delphi’s Frynichos Theater on July 4 and will then be staged at Epidaurus on July 11 and 12. In the popular satirical play, the god Dionysus is disillusioned with the lack of credible tragic poets in ancient Athens. So, he heads down to the Underworld to bring back the best tragic poet, which leads to a ruthless contest between Aeschylus and Euripides. Dimitris Lignadis, who is also the production director, and Constantinos Markoulakis will compete as the two rival poets, joined by co-stars Stefania Goulioti, Dimitra Matsouka, Giorgos Marinos and Vangelis Hadzinikolaou. Director Spyros Evangelatos will add his own touch to Euripides’ “Phoenician Women,” which offers a different perspective on Aeschylus’ “Seven against Thebes,” on July 25 and 26 with his Amphi-Theater troupe. The tragedy is not staged very often. Starring Antigone Valakou and Petros Fyssoun as the mother-son and husband-wife pair Jocasta and Oedipus, the tragedy follows the conflict between their sons, Eteocles and Polyneices, for control of the city of 24 Thebes. Further starring Gini Papadopoulou, Thanassis Kourlambas and Nikolas Papayiannis, Evangelatos has laid emphasis on the chorus of Phoenician women – from which the title is also derived – by depicting them as a group of Phoenician immigrants, making the story even more timely. Another of Euripides’ tragedies that is not staged very often, “Orestes,” will go on stage on August 1 and 2. This is the first time that “Orestes” will be performed as part of the National Theater of Northern Greece’s repertoire. Directed by professor of theater direction in Skopje Slobodan Unkovski, who has collaborated with the Greek National Theater before, the drama follows the tri- als of the title character who is haunted by guilt after murdering his mother, something he had to do to avenge his father’s death. The part of Orestes is played by Lazaros Georgakopoulos, who will be joined by Lydia Fotopoulou as Electra, Natalia Dragoumi as Helen and Alexandros Syssovitis as Pylades. In yet another Greek National Theater production, unconventional theater director Roula Pateraki will combine Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex” and “Oedipus at Colonus” in one performance. From Oedipus’ initial arrogant stance when still ATHENSPLUS • FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2008 THE EVENT The 4th-century BC venue, renowned for its perfect acoustics and glorious surrounding landscape, embraces a series of cultural events organized under the aegis of the Greek Festival On stage in Epidaurus Ancient theater hosts drama and dance BY ELIS KISS & KATERINA VOUSSOURA Something magical happens the first time you see an actor take the stage at the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus. It has to do with the history of the place; this particular artistic ritual is thousands of years old. The magic continues yet again this summer with a series of performances organized by the Greek Festival, the theater’s host of the last few decades. Beyond the habitual productions of ancient drama, this year’s series of events also includes contemporary theater: Samuel Beckett’s “Happy Days” is a National Theater of Great Britain production, directed by Deborah Warner and starring Fiona Shaw. The production returns to the ancient theater on July 4 and 5, following last year’s canceled performances The tale of Orestes will be staged on August 1 and 2. [Yiannis Ionas] Mixing it up From Oedipus’ initial arrogant stance to his downfall, Roula Pateraki combines the two tales of the luckless king due to the devastating wildfires in the Peloponnese. Dance is also taking to the stage, with the Ballet de l’Opera National de Paris which will interpret Gluck’s “Orfeo ed Euridice,” choreographed by Pina Bausch, on July 19 and 20. Designed by Polykleitos the Younger in the 4th century BC, the theater’s exceptional acoustics fit in beautifully with its glorious surroundings – Greek theaters are wellknown for incorporating the surrounding landscapes into the stage scenery. Originally constructed with 34 rows of seating, the theater was enlarged in Roman times with an additional 21 rows. Today up to 15,000 visitors can be seated at the ancient venue. Besides the imposing Ancient Theater of Epidaurus, the Little Theater of Ancient Epidaurus is hosting Musical July, an annual series of events ranging from music to theater. king of Thebes, to his downfall, as the truth about his descent is revealed and his subsequent arrival in Athens where he is given refuge, the joint story will unfold at the ancient theater on August 8 and 9. The cast features Michail Marmarinos, Karyofyllia Karabeti, Mania Papadimitriou and Dimitris Piatas, among others, as well as a 21-member chorus. The tragic story of a mother who kills her children when driven to despair after her husband abandons her, Euripides’ “Medea,” which has inspired artists throughout the centuries, is up next. Directed by the distinguished Anatoly Vasiliev, the award-winning founder and artistic director of the Moscow School of Dramatic Arts Theater, “Medea” will go on stage August 15 and 16. Leading Greek actress Lydia Koniordou will play the desperate mother, accompanied by co-stars Nikos Psarras, Giorgos Gallos and Aglaia Pappa. This year’s program will end with Angela Brouskou’s Theatro Domatiou and a performance of heavyweight tragedy “Agamemnon,” on August 22 and 23. After the fall of Troy, the victorious King Agamemnon returns to his homeland, but his newly found arrogance, an act of hubris to the gods, leads to his eventual death. This is the first time that director Brouskou is to stage a production at Epidaurus, but she has long experience with ancient tragedies. Seasoned actor Minas Hadzisavvas will play Agamemnon, with Amalia Moutoussi joining him as Clytemnestra, Parthenopi Bouzouri as Cassandra and Maximos Moumouris in the role of Aegisthus. HOW TO GET THERE Situated within the archaeological site of the Sanctuary of Asclepius, the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus is about two hours by car from Athens and half an hour from Nafplion. Specially scheduled buses make return trips to the theater on the days of performances. The Little Theater of Epidaurus is situated in the seaside town of Palaia Epidavros. Please note that there is no return bus to Athens following performances at this venue. For more information on bus services for both venues contact: KTEL Argolidas, 100 Kifissou Avenue, tel 210.512.2513, 210.512.2516 and 210.513.4588. For details, visit www.greekfestival.gr. Small in size The diminutive brother of the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus, the so-called Little Theater, makes up what it lacks in size with style and charm. The 4th-century BC theater, unlike its bigger brother, was built for smallscale performances aimed at locals. Comprising nine tiers with 18 rows of benches, seating some 2,000 people, inscriptions on the stone seats dedicated to the “choregoi” (patrons) tell us that the theater was built in honor of Dionysus. The Little Theater of Ancient Epidaurus was closed to the public until 1995, when the Friends of Music Society of the Athens Concert Hall convinced the Central Archaeological Council to make the venue available for a four-weekend series of musical performances in the summer. Musical July, as the event was titled, came under the aegis of the Greek Festival in 2002. Now, in 2008, the events being held at the venue have been diversified to include theater too. Though the program is certainly
e, not style not as lofty as that of the large Ancient Theater of Epidaurus, the Little Theater’s unique, cozy atmosphere and stunning architecture continue to attract the public every year. Events this year kick off this Friday and Saturday with a performance of Heiner Muller’s (1925-1995) modern adaptation of Sophocles’ “Philoctetes,” staged by the acclaimed German director Matthias Langhoff. The play has been translated into Greek by Eleni Varopoulou and stars three veteran Greek actors, Lefteris Voyatzis, Christos Loulis and Minas Hatzisavvas. Continuing with Sophocles, controversial director Theodoros Terzopoulos will present what he describes as a “stage synthesis” based on the tragedy “Ajax” on July 4 and 5 with his Attis Theater. The performance was developed during rehearsals in which the actors – Thanasis Alevras, Tasos Dimas, Miltiades Fiorentzis, Sofia Hill, Antonis Myriagos, Nikos Papaioannou, Savvas Stroubos and Giorgos Tzortzis – and the director contemplated the different themes running through the play. Lightening the atmosphere, a staple at the Little Theater and one of the most versatile singers on the live Greek circuit today, Savina Yannatou will appear on July 11 and 12 with her ensemble Primavera en Salonico. Joined by Tunisia’s Lamia Bedioui and Greece’s Martha Mavroeidi, the ensemble will play melodies from the Mediterranean and beyond. The following weekend, July 18 and 19, Greek composer Periklis Koukos presents a program titled “Lyrical Dialogues,” featuring extracts from works ATHENSPLUS • FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2008 THE EVENT Choreographed by Pina Bausch, Gluck’s ‘Orfeo ed Euridice’ will be performed by the Ballet de l’Opera National de Paris on July 19 and 20. [Ursula Kaufmann] Director Theodoros Terzopoulos will present his own take on Sophocles’ ‘Ajax’ with his Attis Theater company. [Johanna Weber] by Koukos, Dvorak, Manuel de Falla, Handel, Yiannis Constantinidis, Massenet, Xavier Montsalvatge, George Gershwin, Robert Schumann and Kurt Weill. The last concert of the series brings to the stage one of Greece’s most celebrated and historical voices: Maria Farantouri with songs by Manos Hadjidakis, among others. Titled “The Tragic End of Love,” the performance also includes narratives and songs inspired by tales of unrequited love from Greek mythology, written by Agathi Dimitrouka. Fiona Shaw: From ‘Harry Potter’ to ‘Happy Days’ Irish stage and film actress talks to Athens Plus Fiona Shaw, the versatile Irish actress with a long career in theater and a rich presence in the world of film, returns to the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus to interpret the character of Winnie in Samuel Beckett’s “Happy Days” on July 4 and 5. Directed by Deborah Warner, the National Theater of Great Britain production also stars Tim Potter. Athens Plus caught up with Shaw to discuss modern theater as opposed to ancient drama, “Harry Potter” and why performing at the ancient theater is a rare privilege. Acting rituals ‘Epidaurus should continue to be the altar on which we sacrifice and express our desires’ How does it feel to be heading back to Epidaurus? We are coming back because so many people wanted to see the play. It doesn’t feel so much like coming back, but like finishing something that we started. If half of the audience is Greek, for the rest of the audience, to go to such a miraculous site and to have a play in English is a great evening. Staging modern plays at the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus is still an issue of controversy. What is your take on that? All great plays come from the same place as the first great plays. Epidaurus is a great theater and so there is an enormous connection with what is written now and what was written then. There is no reason why theater should not embrace the present as well as the past. Back then, the Greek works were modern, contemporary plays, dealing with the same issues, the human factor. Epidaurus should continue to be the altar on which we sacrifice and express our desires. What kind of role can theater play in the technology-infatuated world we live in? Although we live in an interactive world, the experiences that people have with other people is fundamental and you always return to that. Theater had problems before technology. Film, for instance, interfered with it. Yet to hear, to see actors expose themselves on behalf of the audience remains sacrificial. Theater may be on the upswing; there is always a desire for something that is not edited, or owned by a computer server. Theater still carries the complexity of reality; it’s visceral and emotional. Any current film projects? I just finished shooting a film directed by American director Terrence Malick, “Tree of Life.” It was wonderful. Film can be a really meaningful experience. I love this kind of adventure, just like with the theater. What about films like “Harry Potter”? “Harry Potter” was a particular phenomenon, it was fantastic to be part of it, really interesting, but it doesn’t affect my daily life. I get on with my work. Including playing at Epidaurus... One of the great privileges of my life is to play there – and one of the most difficult. The Greek generosity of having an English-Irish spoken play in that theater is beyond anything I have done in my life. Versatile Irish actress Fiona Shaw is back to Epidaurus to perform the role of Winnie once more. [Evi Fylaktou] 25
Page 1 and 2: + Athens + Plus Weekly newspaper pu
Page 3 and 4: Boogie nights 1 2 3 4 1 Party Press
Page 5 and 6: Law amended A law passed in 2001 ba
Page 7 and 8: Firefighters across Attica and much
Page 10 and 11: Athens Stock Exchange General Index
Page 12 and 13: Milestones Footnotes + BY NIKOS KON
Page 14 and 15: ATHENSPLUS • FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 200
Page 16: 1 2 3 16 BOOKS Art for toddlers “
Page 19 and 20: Athens hosts its first Festival of
Page 21 and 22: Sailing in the Argonauts’ wake Wi
Page 23: News & tips Fake but fabulous A pri
Page 27 and 28: An architectural recipe for better
Page 29 and 30: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Top 10 Driving
Page 31 and 32: ATHENSPLUS • FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 200
Page 33 and 34: BY MYRSINI LAMBRAKI The cuisine of
Page 35 and 36: Sun, surf, ABBA ‘Mamma Mia!’ op
Page 37 and 38: The Incredible Hulk 0.30 6 Horton H
Page 39 and 40: Saturday June 28 ET1 Tel.: 210.770.
Page 41 and 42: Wednesday July 2 ET1 Tel.: 210.770.
Page 43 and 44: BY HARIS ARGYROPOULOS Andros, the n
Page 45 and 46: Public transport Tickets Tickets mu
Page 47 and 48: FROM PIRAEUS (Harbor master tel 210

27-06-2008

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?