The National Theatre presented the "Persians", one of the best ancient Greek plays, at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus on the 31st of July and 1st of August, adapted anddirected by the internationally famous director Dimiter Gotscheff.

Dimiter Gotscheff has already presented a version of the "Persians" at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin – which has been pronounced Performance of the year for 2006 according to Theater Heute. By working on the play again for the theatre of Epidaurus, the director not only fulfills an old dream but faces again Aeschylus’ play, persisting on his search on ancient Greek drama and proposing a new version with the collaboration of some of the most important Greek actors. His basic stimulus is now the space of the ancient theatre.

"Persians" is the only surviving tragedy that deals with a historic fact and not with a mythical episode. The play dramatizes the Persian response to news of their military defeat at the Battle of Salamis (480 B.C.). The shaking description of the destruction of the Persian armada by the messenger, the grief of the Persians for their defeat and the return of the humiliated King Xerxes contribute to a play that has been acclaimed as of one of the most important anti-war plays internationally.

Translation: Eleni Varopoulou
Adaptation - Direction: Dimiter Gotscheff
Set and costume designer: Mark Lammert
Lighting designer: Lefteris Pavlopoulow
Assistant director: Anestis Azas
Voice coaching: Rinio Kiriazi
Dramaturg: Elena Karakouli
Cast: Amalia Moutousi (Atossa), Minas Chatzisavvas (Darius), Nikos Karathanos (Xerxes), Stefania Goulioti, Nikos Kouris, Lena Kitsopoulou, Dimitris Imellos, Evi Saoulidou, Kora Karvouni, Yorgos Gallos, Vassilis Andreou, Alexia Kaltsiki, Elena Topalidou, Dimitris Papanikolaou, Laertes Vasileiou, Rinio Kiriazi, Sirmo Keke, Prodromos Tsinikoris

Photos of the performance: Takis Diamantopoulos

Sponsor: Goethe-Institut Athen

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Latest updated: 13/05/2009