CULTURE

Cacoyiannis directs Shakespeare tragedy at Herod Atticus Theater

The Herod Atticus Theater will host two performances of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy «Coriolanus» tonight and tomorrow, a production translated and directed by acclaimed Greek filmmaker Michalis Cacoyiannis. But, due to the cost and complexity of the production, it will not go on tour around the country as is normally the case with plays in the summer. The sets for the performance were designed by Apostolos Vettas and the costumes by Yiannis Metzikoff. The lighting is by Eleftheria Deko and the music is written by Costas Cacoyiannis. The cast features a number of well-known actors: Vladimiros Kyriakidis plays the title character and Martha Vourtsi has the role of Volumnia, Coriolanus’s mother. Yiannis Voglis plays Menenius Agrippa, Nikos Arvanitis is Tullus Aufidius, Tatiana Papamoschou is Coriolanus’s wife Virgilia, Giorgos Kendros plays Cominius, Haris Emmanouil is Titus Lartius, Nikos Hadzopoulos is Sicinius Velutus and Evdokia Roumelioti plays Valeria. The cast also includes supporting actors and professional swordsmen. Cacoyiannis said that he was careful to remain faithful to the original verse and to the changes between verse and prose in his translation. He also said that he tried render the poetic qualities of the characters. «Coriolanus,» one of Shakespeare’s late plays, deals with megalomania and politics. It was first performed in 1607. The tragedy tells the story of the rise and eventual fall of a gifted but arrogant leader, as well as the conflict between the tyrant and the masses. The Herod Atticus Theater is situated on Dionysiou Areopagitou, the pedestrian street below the Acropolis. Tickets can be purchased at the Hellenic Festival box office (39 Panepistimiou, tel 210.928.2900) and the theater itself.

Subscribe to our Newsletters

Enter your information below to receive our weekly newsletters with the latest insights, opinion pieces and current events straight to your inbox.

By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.