Johan Simons directs ‘Alcestis’ on July 1-2, opening the Epidaurus Festival program

The international premiere of Euripides’ “Alcestis”, directed by pioneering Dutch director and one of the founders of the Hollandia theater troupe Johan Simons, will open this year’s Epidaurus Festival program on July 1 and 2.

In Greece, the play will only be performed at the ancient theater before travelling to Germany. It is a co-production between the Athens & Epidaurus Festival with the Schauspielhaus Bochum theater, where Simons has been artistic director since the 2018-2019 season.

Simons, who was born in 1946 and trained as a dancer and actor, has presented his work in Greece previously at the Herod Atticus Odeon in Athens, with Euripides’ “Bacchae” in 2002 and Odon von Horvath’s “Kasimir and Karoline” in 2009, co-directed with his colleague Paul Koek, also one of the founders of the Hollandia. This is the first time a play of his is performed at Epidaurus.

“Alcestis” is one of the most unusual of Euripides’ plays, balancing between tragedy and comedy. The play describes the myth of the Greek princess who sacrifices her life to save her husband, before Hercules returns to Hades to rescue her, now a stranger to her family.
Tickets ranging from 5 to 60 euros have already gone on sale online. For more information, see http://aefestival.gr/plirofories-eisitirion/, and for ticket purchase, see aefestival.gr, viva.gr and public.gr.

SOURCE; AMNA