INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ANCIENT GREEK DRAMA 2022

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2022 INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ANCIENT GREEK DRAMA
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OEDIPUS THE KING by Sophocles
SARAJEVO NATIONAL THEATRE & MESS INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL, Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

▪ Wednesday, July 6 │ Paphos Ancient Odeon

▪ Friday, July 8 │ Makarios III Amphitheatre, Nicosia

 

The Sarajevo National Theatre and the MESS International Theatre Festival present Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, perhaps the most emblematic ancient Greek drama, directed by the distinguished Slovenian theatre director Diego de Brea.

 

The city of Thebes has been struck by plague, the citizens are dying, and no one knows how to put an end to it. King Oedipus wants to know why this is the case and he requests the advice of the oracle at Delphi. The oracle predicts that Thebes will be saved as soon as the person responsible for the death of King Laius is found and banished from the city. The king decides to solve the mystery, thus setting in motion a series of horrific revelations. The old prophesy has come to pass. However, much Oedipus tried to avoid his fate, his every action led him towards it. The only way open to him now is exile.

 

Sophocles’ tragedy focuses on the individual in relation to their personal freedom, power, society and divine will. Diego de Brea’s directing approach conveys all the coldness, hardship, brutality and evil that emanate from people just like from Pandora’s Box. Always new, unexpected and more brutal than the one before; because misfortunes never come singly.

 

▪ With Greek and English surtitles
▪ Suitable for ages 17+

▪ Duration: 65 minutes

 

CREDITS

Translation: Bratoljub Klaić

Adaptation/Direction/Set design: Diego de Brea

Dramaturgy: Džejna Hodžić

Costume design: Blagoj Micevski

Lighting design: Moamer Šaković

Sound design: Danko Bevanda

 

Cast:

Dino Bajrović (Oedipus), Mediha Musliović (Jokasta), Damir Čobo (Creon/Herdsman), Izudin Bajrović (Tiresias), Damir Mašić (Priest/Chiorman/Herdsman), Emir Fejzić (Messenger)

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ELECTRA.25 based on the tragedies by Sophocles and Euripides

ΑTALAYA TEATRO, Spain

 

▪ Saturday, July 16 │ Paphos Ancient Odeon

▪ Monday, July 18 │ Makarios III Amphitheatre, Nicosia

 

Based on the two homonymous tragedies by Sophocles and Euripides, Electra.25 by the Atalaya Teatro of Spain reconstructs the everlasting circle of violence (death-revenge-death) in the House of Atreus and dramatizes one of the darkest parts of the myth: vengeance against Clytemnestra and Aegisthus for the murder of Agamemnon.

 

Electra keeps the memory of her father’s killing alive and implores the gods to help her punish his killers. The return of her exiled brother, Orestes, rekindles her desire for vengeance and sets in motion the act of punishment that culminates in matricide. This act of revenge became and continues to this day to be the source of multiple conflicts throughout the history of Mankind.

 

Electra.25 creates a bridge between Electra of the ancient Greek tragedians and the contemporary dramatists that adapted it to the 20^th century: Hofmannsthal and Sartre. Ricardo Iniesta approaches and stages the myth in an innovative manner by reinforcing the Chorus in its various forms and using traditional music to underline the human and universal dimension of the characters.

 

▪ With Greek and English surtitles
▪ Suitable for ages 13+

▪ Duration: 70 minutes

 

CREDITS

Direction/Dramaturgy/Set design: Ricardo Iniesta                                                

Direction of Chorus: Marga Reyes                                                                               

Music/Orchestration: Luis Navarro

Music: Popular music from the Balkans, Italy and Belarus     

Costume design: Carmen de Giles, Flores de Giles                             

Choreography: Juana Casado, Lucía You                                            

Lighting design: Alejandro Conesa

Soundscape: Emilio Morales

Production coordinator: Victoria Villalta                                                                                          

Production: Francesca Lupo                                                                                        

 

Cast:

Silvia Garzón (Electra), María Sanz (Clytemnestra), Lidia Mauduit (Chrysothemis), Raúl Vera (Aigisthus), Enmanuel García (Orestes), Garazi Aldasoro (Chorus), Imasul Rodríguez (Chorus), Ángela González (Chorus)

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PROMETHEUS BOUND by Aeschylus

POREIA THEATRE, Greece

 

▪ Friday, July 22 │ Curium Ancient Theatre

▪ Saturday, July 23 │ Curium Ancient Theatre

 

Poreia Theatre participates in this year's Festival with Aeschylus’ masterpiece, Prometheus Bound, translated by Giorgos Blanas and directed by Aris Biniaris, with a select cast and Yannis Stankoglou in the titular part.

 

In this tragedy, Aeschylus deals with Prometheus’ resistance, who while chained on the rocks of Caucasus still refuses to succumb to the will of “ruthless” Zeus, thus setting the stage for multiple conflicts. Prometheus rises, defending man against the authoritarian mechanism of a divine tyranny and awakens the race of men to critical thinking, passion for freedom and personal autonomy.

 

Aris Biniaris, drawing inspiration from the rhythmical qualities of the text, continues his study on ancient tragedies leading his actors to transform the sounds and rhythms of the poetic text into stage action using their bodies and voices. Against the backdrop of a pulsating, live soundscape, the performers bring to life the characters of an age-old but invariably timely story where Prometheus becomes a timeless symbol of resistance. “A story that can be perceived as a bleak commentary on the present or as a bright hope for the future”, in the director’s own words.

 

▪ With English surtitles

▪ Duration: 75 minutes

 

CREDITS

Translation: Giorgos Blanas
Direction: Aris Biniaris
Musical composition: Fotis Siotas
Set design: Magdalini Avgerinou
Costume design: Vasiliki Syrma
Lighting design: Alekos Anastasiou
Movement/Choreography: Evi Economou
Dramaturgy consultant: Elena Triantafyllopoulou
Metrical analysis of the original text: Kaiti Diamantakou
Scientific associate: Katerina Diakoumopoulou
Assistant to the director: Dora Xagorari
Assistant to the set designer: Xenia Papatriantafyllou
Assistant to the costume designer: Alexandros Garnavos
Assistant to the lighting designer: Nafsika Christodoulakou
Props/Sculptures: Dimitra Kaisari Workshop
Make-up: Evi Zafeiropoulou
Production manager: Stella Giovani
Executive producers: Vasileia Taskou, Anna Pasparaki

Cast:

Yannis Stankoglou (Prometheus), Aris Biniaris (Kratos), Konstantinos Georgalis (Bia/Follower of Oceanus & Hermes), David Malteze (Hephaestus/Follower of Oceanus & Hermes), Alekos Syssovitis (Oceanus), Nancy Boukli (Io), Ioannis Papazisis (Hermes), Katerina Dimati, Grigoria Metheniti (Followers of Kratos and Bia)

Chorus (in alphabetical order): Katerina Dimati, Fiona Georgiadi, Dafni Kiourktsoglou, Grigoria Metheniti, Dafni Nikitaki, Alexia Sapranidou, Thaleia Stamatelou, Dimitra Vitta, Eleni Vlachou

Musician on stage: Stamatis Fousekis (double bass, effects)

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HELEN by Euripides

NATIONAL THEATRE OF NORTHERN GREECE

 

▪ Friday, July 29 │ Curium Ancient Theatre

▪ Saturday, July 30 │ Curium Ancient Theatre

 

The National Theatre of Northern Greece returns to the Festival three years later and presents Helen by Euripides, translated by Pantelis Boukalas and directed by Vassilis Papavassiliou, featuring an ensemble of actors and musicians on stage.

 

Written in the aftermath of the Athenians’ crushing defeat in the Sicilian Expedition, Euripides’ Helen is noted both for its anti-war qualities and its focus on virtues such as the power of an oath and intelligence, both personified in the form of the titular heroine. Drawing on the version of the myth created by the lyric poet Stesichorus instead of Homer’s best-known version, Euripides portrays the Trojan War as a massacre committed for a phantom rather than a real woman.

 

Helen that is almost unduly classified as a “tragedy” is also characterized by its comic elements. NTNG’s production highlights these elements through an imaginative directional approach, creating a festive atmosphere, an anti-war conflict on stage.

 

▪ With English surtitles

▪ Duration: 110 minutes

 

CREDITS

Translation: Pantelis Boukalas

Direction: Vassilis Papavassiliou

Associate director/Dramaturgy: Nikoleta Filosoglou

Set/Costume design: Aggelos Mentis

Music: Aggelos Triantafyllou

Choreography: Dimitris Sotiriou

Lighting design: Lefteris Pavlopoulos

Orchestration/Music coaching: Yorgos Dousos

Music coaching: Chrysa Toumanidou

Assistant to the director: Anna-Maria Iakovou

Assistant to the set/costume designer: Elli Nalbandi

Assistant to the choreographer: Sofia Papanikandrou

Production coordinator: Athanasia Androni

Stage manager: Marina Chatziioannou

 

Cast:

Emily Koliandri (Helen), Themis Panou (Menelaus), Agoritsa Economou (Theonoe), Giorgos Kafkas (Theoclymenus), Effie Stamouli (Old woman), Dimitris Kolovos (First Messenger), Angelos Bouras (Second Messenger), Dimitris Morfakidis (Teucer), Panagiotis Papaioannou (Therapon), Nikolas Marangopoulos, Orestes Paliadelis (The Dioscuri)

 

Chorus: Nefeli Anthopoulou, Stavroula Arabatzoglou, Natassa Daliaka, Eleni Giannousi, Elektra Goniadou, Sofia Kalemkeridou, Aigli Katsiki, Anna Kyriakidou, Katerina Plexida, Marianna Pourega, Foteini Timotheou, Chrysa Toumanidou, Loukia Vasileiou, Momo Vlachou, Chrysa Zafeiriadou

 

Musicians on stage: Yorgos Dousos (flute, clarinet, saxophone, kaval), Danis Koumartzis (double bass), Thomas Kostoulas (percussion), Pavlos Metsios (trumpet, electric guitar), Haris Papathanasiou (violin), Manolis Stamatiadis (piano, accordion)

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AJAX by Sophocles

NATIONAL THEATRE OF GREECE

 

▪ Friday, August 5 │ Curium Ancient Theatre

▪ Saturday, August 6 │ Curium Ancient Theatre

 

Sophocles’ tragedy Ajax is presented by the National Theatre of Greece, under the direction of Argyris Xafis and featuring an outstanding cast and crew.

In this tragedy, which was presented around 440 BC and is set during the tenth year of the Trojan War, Ajax, the greatest warrior of the Greek camp, following the death of Achilles, lays claim to the dead hero’s armour, but the Greek leaders decide to award it to Odysseus. Deeply offended by this terrible injustice, he takes his sword and goes out into the night to wreak revenge, but Athena makes him go mad, turning his anger into a wild rage which he unleashes onto the flocks of the Greeks, slaughtering them. When he realizes what he has done, his dignity cannot bear the humiliation and he commits suicide.

 

Ajax, central among Sophocles’ surviving tragedies, was written in peaceful times. However, the stage for the Peloponnesian War was already being set. Once an admired warrior on a par with Achilles, Ajax ends up becoming a deadly enemy of the army leaders and a pawn in the hands of gods, unable to grasp the spirit of a newly emerging era. This ancient tragedy does not recount the fall of the hero but his unique, posthumous redemption and glorification.

 

▪ With English surtitles

▪ Duration: 100 minutes

 

CREDITS

Translation: Nikos A. Panagiotopoulos

Direction: Argyris Xafis

Adaptation: Aspasia-Maria Alexiou, Argyris Xafis

Set design: Maria Panourgia

Costume design: Ioanna Tsami

Music: Kornilios Selamsis

Choreography: Hara Kotsali

Lighting design: Alekos Anastasiou

Assistant director: Maria Savvidou

Music coach: Melina Peonidou

Vocal preparation: Apostolos Kitsos

Dramaturg: Aspasia-Maria Alexiou

First directing assistant: Maya Kyriazi

Second directing assistant: Vasiliki Athanasopoulou

Assistant to the Set designer: Sofia Theodoraki

 

Cast (in alphabetical order):

Giannis Dalianis (Menelaus), Nikos Hatzopoulos (Agamemnon), Dimitris Imellos (Odysseus), Despina Kourti (Athena), Tassos Mikelis (Eurysaces), Evi Saoulidou (Tecmessa), Stathis Stamoulakatos (Ajax), Christos Stylianou (Teucer)

 

Chorus (in alphabetical order): Asimina Anastasopoulou, Eirini Boudali, Dimitris Georgiadis, Erato Karathanasi, Afroditi Katsarou, Lambros Konstanteas, Fanis Kosmas, Efstathia Lagiokapa, Alkiviadis Maggonas, Fotis Stratigos

 

Musicians on stage (in alphabetical order): Menelaos Moraitis (tuba), Manos Ventouras (french horn), Spyros Vergis (trombone)

 

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▪ Info: 7000 2414 │www.greekdramafest.com

 

▪ Performances start at 21:00 │ Please arrive at the theatre before 20:15

It’s strongly recommended to arrive at least 45 – 60 minutes prior to the beginning of the performance to avoid delay and crowding. Entry after the start of the performance will not be allowed.

 

▪Ticket prices:

▫ €12 regular

▫ €8 reduced (students, senior citizens, national guard, unemployed)

▫ €45 festival pass (per person for attending all five performances)

▫ €10 for group sales (over 10 persons per performance) at ticketing@soldoutticketbox.com

 

▫ Free admission:

▪ People with disabilities, upon reservation of free pass (at least five days prior to each performance) at tel. 7000 2414. Please show proof at ticket gate.

▪ Members of CCOITI, upon early settlement of the membership fee for 2022 and use of the personal code for the necessary reservation of an entrance ticket. 

 

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To facilitate the public in Nicosia, shuttle transport from Nicosia to Curium Ancient Theatre will be provided, for the following performances:

▪ Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus (produced by Poreia Theatre, Greece) on July 22 and 23

▪ Helen by Euripides (produced by National Theatre of Northern Greece) on July 29 and 30

▪ Ajax by Sophocles (produced by National Theatre of Greece) on August 5 and 6

 

▪ Bus ticket cost: €3.00 (round-trip)

It is necessary to purchase your bus ticket along with the performance ticket, 10 days prior, due to a fixed number of buses.

 

▪ Departure: 18:30

(from the parking opposite the Handicraft Centre in Athalassa Avenue)

 

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► IMPORTANT NOTES FOR THE AUDIENCE

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO THE PERFORMANCES:

● Spectators must display their ticket (in electronic or digital form) upon admission.

● Spectators who have purchased concessions must show supporting documents upon admission.

● Spectators must comply with the instructions of the Festival’s security staff and ushers.

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT PERMITTED:

▪ Entry into the theatre after the performance commences.

▪ Smoking and the consumption of food and/or drinks (with the exception of water).

▪ The use of mobile phones during the performance.

▪ Taking photographs, with or without flash, and/or filming part and/or whole of the performance.

▪ Spectators are expressly prohibited from occupying seats other than those specifically stated on their tickets.

 

RECOMMENDED:

▪ The timely pre-purchase of tickets to avoid overcrowding at the box office, before the start of the performance.

▪ Use of medical face mask.

▪ Spectators are urged to bring an individual cushion.

▪ Crowding in all public areas of theatre venues must be avoided.

 

 

 

□ Notes for attending performances at the Curium Ancient Theatre:

Spectators are advised to arrive at least 60 minutes before the performance. Once the available parking spaces at the archaeological site are filled, the entrance of other private cars is prohibited. The rest of the private cars shall be parked in Agios Ermogenis and spectators will be transported to the theatre by buses. The last bus route from Agios Ermogenis’ parking place to the theatre, departs at 20:40. After the last bus route, spectators will have to walk from Agios Ermogenis towards the theatre, in order to attend the performance.

 

□ Notes for attending performances at the Paphos Ancient Odeon:

The entrance to the Ancient Odeon, is located on Galatiani Street, from the roundabout of Kings Avenue Mall towards the port of Kato Paphos (Ap. Pavlou Avenue).