Lazopoulos takes role in ‘Hysteria’
According to actor/director Lakis Lazopoulos, Terry Johnson’s play «Hysteria,» which will open at the Vretania Theater on Thursday, is a surreal comedy full of psychoses. This is the first time that Lazopoulos has decided to stage a play he hasn’t written himself and one of the few occasions that he is not directing himself either. The production is directed by Constantinos Arvanitakis, who also translated the play. «This is a hilarious farce, but it is also the beginning of psychoanalysis, since Freud dealt with women’s hysteria,» Arvanitakis said at a recent press conference. Nonetheless, «Hysteria» also criticizes sexism and the abuse of women. The plot is based on real events and is set shortly before WWII; it takes material from various sources, including plays, films, paintings and even letters and scientific writings. Lazopoulos, who plays Sigmund Freud, admitted that the work is entirely different work to what he has done so far and added that the part was not easy. «It goes from the comic to the absolutely dramatic element with great ease and energy of speech.» Maybe that’s the reason he has been rehearsing since last May, along with actors Akis Sakellariou (who plays Salvador Dali), Fei Xyla, Babis Yiotopoulos and Anna Statskaya. The sets are designed by Giorgos Gavalas, the costumes by Christina Kostea and the music was selected by Costas Sourvanos. The Vretania Theater is situated at 7 Panepistimiou, tel 210.322.7079.
