Two national theatres, the National Theatre of Greece and the Cyprus Theatre Organisation, join forces to stage an iconic play – a tragedy about war and its dead, but also about existential angst, dignity, faith and endurance – in a new translation by the poet Giorgos Koropoulis.
Forty-three years after the National Theatre of Greece’s only production of The Suppliants, directed by Takis Mouzenidis, and 29 years since the Cyprus Theatre Organisation’s first production at Epidaurus, directed by Nikos Charalampous, the play is brought to Epidaurus by the Artistic Director of the National Theatre, Stathis Livathinos, in a collaboration between artists from both countries.
The mothers of the Argive soldiers who lost their lives fighting with Polyneices at Thebes pray at the altar of Demeter in Eleusis. With them is Adrastus, king of Argus. They seek the help of the Athenian king, Theseus, because the Thebans are refusing to relinquish the dead so that they can be buried.
Theseus responds to the just demand by preparing a message for Creon, the king of Thebes, but before he can send it, a Theban messenger arrives with a message from Creon: he asks him to expel Adrastus and the mothers or Thebes will attack Athens.
Theseus leads the Athenian army against the Thebans and brings the bodies of the dead soldiers to Eleusis, where they are burnt. In a delirium, Capaneus’ widow Evadne throws herself on the funeral pyre and is burnt together with her husband. Mothers and children make their way home with the ashes of their loved ones.
Written in 422 BCE, the tragedy is a clear echo of the Battle of Delium, which had taken place two years earlier. There, the Athenians, defeated by Sparta’s ally, Thebes, were prevented for some days from claiming their dead and burying them.
creation team
-
Giorgos Koropoulis
Translator -
Stathis Livathinos
Director -
George Souglides
Designer -
Alekos Anastasiou
Lighting design -
Angelos Triandafyllou
Music -
Fotis Nikolaou
Choreography -
Melina Peonidou
Music coach -
Vassilis Andreou
Assistant director -
Marina Myrtali
Directing assistant -
Maria Kalamara
Design assistant -
Irene Moundraki
Dramaturg
mothers of Argive soldiers
cast
On-stage Musicians
-
Giorgos Dousos
clarinet, saxophone, kaval, duduk -
Alexandros Drymonitis
electric guitar, electronics -
Giannis Messalas
yayli tanbur -
Dimitris Tingas
-
Sofia Efkleidou
cello (instead of Giannis Messalas in the performances in Cyprus) -
Konstantinos Sifakis
double bass (instead of Dimitris Tigkas in the performances in Cyprus)
Related
SUMMER TOUR
- 05/07/2019 21:00Epidaurus Ancient TheatreBUY TICKETS
- 06/07/2019 21:00Epidaurus Ancient TheatreBUY TICKETS
- 11/07/2019 21:00Nicosia
- 12/07/2019 21:00Nicosia
- 13/07/2019 21:00Nicosia
- 14/07/2019 21:00Nicosia
- 17/07/2019 21:00Kourion Ancient Amphiteatre, Limassol
- 18/07/2019 21:00Kourion Ancient Amphiteatre, Limassol
- 20/07/2019 21:00Pattichion Municipal Amphitheatre, Larnaca
- 30/08/2019 21:00Theatro DasousBUY TICKETS
- 02/09/2019 21:00Veakio TheaterBUY TICKETS
- 05/09/2019 21:00Odeon of Herodes AtticusBUY TICKETS
- 11/09/2019 21:00Theatre of Dexameni, Koropi
- 15/09/2019 20:30Old Oil Mill
Tickets prices
Tickets (Epidaurus Festival):
- Athens & Epidaurus Festival Box Office: 39 Panepistimiou Str. (Pesmazoglou Arcade/ Stoa Pesmazoglou)
- Public Stores Network
- Call Center [Athens & Epidaurus Festival]: 210 8938112 (Monday to Sunday 09:00-21:00)
- Online: www.greekfestival.gr & www.ticketmaster.gr
- Group purchases (20 persons)[ Group Bookings Dept. of the National Theatre of Greece]: 30 2107001468 & email: grafeiosillogon@n-t.gr
- Disabled Seats Tickets to email: tameia@greekfestival.gr
MORE INFO
A joint production between the National Theatre of Greece and the Cyprus Theatre Organisation
ZILLER BUILDING
Main Stage Nikos Kourkoulos StageBOX OFFICE:
0030 210 5288170-171 Informations for events: 0030 210 5288173Agiou Konstantinou 22-24, 10437,Athens, phones: +302105288100
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