From 15 to 30 July two large-scale theatrical productions of Aeschylus’ works − one Greek and one international − by leading artists, a concert with distinguished musical ensembles as well as an academic symposium on Aeschylus and the concepts governing this special stage genre, in the presence of prominent guests, will create an informal but explosive debate on ancient drama, which always remains alive and crucial to contemporary issues of justice, humanism and politics.
The emergence of an institution for the concept of Law in the history of Europe, the work that introduced the Areopagus as a term, a concept and an institution in history, EUMENIDES (The Furies) will be directed by Angela Brouskou at the Old Oil Mill Factory Amphitheatre on 15 & 16 July. The same venue, on 23 July, will host the concert Iannis Xenakis: Oresteïa by the Athens State Orchestra, with the participation of the Greek Radio Choir, the City of Athens Choir and the Kodály Conservatory Children’s Choir, and the following day, on 24 July, the Conference on Ancient Drama curated by Dio Kaggelari. Finally, on 29 & 30 July, the work Persians – a journey in the array of souls, a play with elements of performance, directed by Nikita Milivojević, will start from the port of Perama, Megaris, at sunset, will take us on board to Salamina and finally, after nightfall, to a deserted area of the island overlooking the place where the ancient conflict took place.
The first iteration of the AESCHYLUS project ^, a Legacy Project by 2023 Eleusis, was presented in the summer of 2022 at the Old Oil Mill Factory Amphitheatre aiming to establish a rare debate on the Aeschylean drama. It included the plays CLYTEMNESTRA by the great Flemish team tg STAN, directed by Jolente De Keersmaeker, a groundbreaking work on contemporary gender identities and the voice of the silenced, and PERSIANS directed by Dimitris Karantzas, co-produced by 2023 Eleusis, the Athens Epidaurus Festival and the company “ To Theatro” [The Theatre], a work about the tragic state of humanity in a conversation about today’s multiple global impasses.
In particular:
15, 16 JULY
EUMENIDES
OLD OIL MILL FACTORY AMPHITHEATRE
The trial that features in Aeschylus’ Eumenides (The Furies) is the first such legal hearing in the history of humankind. During the course of the play, a fantastical court case links the ancient past with the present. Communities, collectives, and inhabitants of Elefsina city are invited to actively take part, entering the world of a fictional trial where they stand in for the Athenian court of law. The Eumenides are used to spark public debate. Audiences are able to interact, functioning as an additional actor or even as a factor affecting the very development of the plot. The quest through ancient drama is the cohesion of a society’s citizens and their attitude towards civic matters. Similarly, in Aeschylus’ Eumenides the same utopian quest leads to a utopian court of justice where Orestes is tried.
A merciless chain of perpetuated vengeance and retribution gives way to a system of justice dispensed by the city. This trial may be taking place in the past, but it addresses all the world’s future citizens.
Translation: Dimitris Dimitriadis
Directed by: Angela Brouskou
Lighting design: Stevi Koutsothanasi
Set design: Elina Loukou
Costume design: Vassilis Barbarigos
Hairstyles: Konstantinos Vasileiou
Make-up artist: Panagiotis Karakasis
Movement: Valia Papachristou
Original music: Alexandros Mitros
Vocal composition for Chorus: Aggeliki Toumpanaki
Assistant director: Thanos Chatzopoulos
Photographs: Artemis Skoulika & Thanos Chatzopoulos
Organised & Produced by: Theatro Domatiou
Actors: Parthenopi Bouzouri (Prophet, Apollo), Angela Brouskou (Clytemnestra), Dionysis Pifeas (Orestis), Dimitra Chatoupi (Athena)
Eumenides: Smaragda Kakkinou, Paola Kalliga, Danai Katsameni, Theodora Korda, Andriani Kylafi, Valia Papachristou, Aggeliki Toumpanaki
Co-produced by: 2023 Eleusis & Theatro Domatiou
With the support of the Ministry of Culture & Sports and the Municipal Regional Theatre of Serres
Dates: Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 July
Venue: Old Oil Mill Factory Amphitheatre
Tickets: general admission 15 € , reduced 10 € (students, over 65), concessions 5 € (unemployed, disabled persons and escorts, actors)
Transportation from downtown Athens to Elefsina and back available on a priority basis. Reservation required (here).
23 JULY
IANNIS XENAKIS: ORESTEÏA
OLD OIL MILL FACTORY AMPHITHEATRE
The words of Aeschylus combine archaic grandeur, ritual robustness, and Dionysian ecstasy. Iannis Xenakis – a foundational figure of the international avant-garde music scene during the second half of the 20th century – was directly inspired by these elements when composing his Oresteïa (1965-1966), a work that distils the plot and very essence of the Aeschylean trilogy, teetering on the cusp between opera, oratorio, and ritualistic dance theatre.
Without any intention of employing traditional “ embellishments,” the music places an emphasis on primal rhythms (hence the extensive use of percussion instruments), and on the expressive power of speech, which is constantly hewn and remoulded by means of imaginative and contemporary compositional techniques. This centenary year of the great composer’s birth presents a great opportunity for the revival of his thrilling, evocative, and altogether immensely demanding piece of music at the hands of the Athens State Orchestra and its top-tier artistic associates.
ORCHESTRA: Athens State Orchestra
Iannis Xenakis:
Oresteïa for baritone, mixed choir, children’s choir, and orchestral ensemble
Cassandra for baritone, psalter and solo percussion
La Déesse Athena for baritone and 12 strings
Soloists: Holger Falk (baritone), Dimitris Desyllas (percussion)
Also participating: Greek Radio Choir | Choir instructor/conductor: Michalis Papapetrou; The City of Athens Choir | Choir instructor/conductor: Stavros Beris; Kodály Conservatory Children’s Choir | Choir instructor/conductor: Michalis Patseas)
Conductor: Myron Michailidis
Date: Sunday 23 July
Venue: Old Oil Mill Factory Amphitheatre
Tickets: general admission 15 € , reduced 10 € (students, over 65), concessions 5 € (unemployed, disabled persons and escorts, actors)
Transportation from downtown Athens to Elefsina and back available on a priority basis. Reservation required (here).
29, 30 JULY
Persians – a journey in the array of souls
The performance starts from the port of Perama, Megaris, at sunset. It continues on a boat that takes us to Salamina and, after nightfall, to a deserted area of the island overlooking the place where the ancient conflict took place. The audience follows Xerxes, the Chorus and other characters on this route, while the parts of the work by Aeschylus, translated by Giorgos Blanas, “ inhabit” points along the route.
Xerxes realises that he has not gone back home – he has arrived at the scene of the crime. The lost souls of those he brought over here come to life around him. The space is filled with the presences of those who are constantly living in agony as a result of the destruction he brought about. But the cruel fate of the vanquished is loneliness.
Translation: Giorgos Blanas
Directed by: Nikita Milivojević
Movement: Amalia Bennett
Original music – Dramaturgy: Dimitris Kamarotos
Set design: Giorgos Gavalas
Lighting design: Giannis Drakoularakos
Costume design: Kenny MacLellan
Sound design: Kostas Bokos
Assistant director: Nikos Tsimaras
Assistant choreographer: Katerina Gevetzi
Assistant set designer: Nikolas Kanavaris
Production manager: Konstantina Aggeletou
Production assistants: Xenia Kalaitzi, Vaggelis Vogiatzis
Production: Lykofos
Photographs: Aris Kamarotos
Actors: Dimitris Imellos (Xerxes), Maria Zorba (Atossa), Thodoris Antoniadis (Messenger), Giorgos Biniaris (Ghost of Darius), Myrto Alikaki (Leader of the Chorus).
Chorus: Nikolas Douros, Nikos Iatrou, Dimitris Karamanos, Emmanouil Kontos, Nikolas Makris, Thanasis Raftopoulos, Giorgos Zygouris & two actors of the National Theatre of Serbia in Novi Sad
Music: Giorgos Katsatsidis (bayan), Vassilis Papavassiliou (double bass), Kostas Siskos (horn)
Co-produced by: National Theatre of Serbia & Novi Sad 2022 – European Capital of Culture
Dates: Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 July
Venue: Salamina / At sea | Meeting point: Ferry Boat Port of Perama, Megaris (map here)
Starting time: 20:15 | Audience arrival: 19:15-19:45
Tickets: standard 25 € , reduced 15 € (students, over 65), concessions 10 € (unemployed, disabled persons and escorts, actors)
Transportation from downtown Athens to Elefsina and back available on a priority basis. Reservations required (here).
Instructions
The boat will sail at 20:15 sharp. Spectators are kindly requested to arrive in good time.
During the performance, spectators will have to walk a distance of approximately 500 metres on paved and dirt roads. The same route will be taken on the return journey.
Spectators are advised to bring water and optionally a hat, sunscreen & mosquito repellent.
The performance can only be attended by disabled persons with self-propelled/motorised wheelchairs.
24 JULY
Conference on Ancient Drama
Curator: Dio Kaggelari
In the framework of AESCHYLUS project ^ 2023 Eleusis organises two debates with the participation of university professors and creators, aimed at enriching the dialogue with the work of the leading tragic poet.
Accessing Elefsina
#21km
Just 21 km from the centre of Athens, one of the most important sacred cities of antiquity, the city of the Eleusinian Mysteries and birthplace of Aeschylus, Elefsina is the fourth European Capital of Culture to be hosted in Greece. The city can be accessed in the following ways:
By car or motorbike via either Attiki Odos or Athinon Avenue, just 25 minutes from the centre of Athens
By bus (lines 845 and 871 from Piraeus, 876 from “ Ag. Marina” metro station and 878 from Acharnes)
By suburban train (“ Magoula” station and then by bus 863)
By intercity coach (line Megara – Nea Peramos – Elefsina, starting from Asomaton Square in Thiseio)
SOURCE; ANA-MPA
