Back at Epidaurus Festival, this time with Euripides
The National Theater of Northern Greece (NTNG) will be back at the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus this summer with another of its quality productions, presenting Euripides’ «Iphigenia in Taurus» on Friday and Saturday as part of the Hellenic Festival. Translated by K.H. Myris, directed by Giorgos Michailidis, with sets and costumes designed by Agni Doutsi and music by Giorgos Christianakis, the cast of this promising production is led by Maria Nafpliotou in the title role and Nikos Psarras, who plays Orestes. The main cast and crew members held a press conference earlier this week at the House of Cyprus to discuss the play and the theater company’s staging, along with NTNG artistic director Nikitas Tsakiroglou and festival director Giorgos Loukos. «Whether the outcome of a tragedy is tragic or not, it contains what Aristotle used to call ‘adventure,’» said Myris, referring to the positive outcome of this particular play. On the subject of this particular production, the esteemed translator said that «yet again, this tragedy presents an opportunity to see something new in the interpretation of this ancient drama.» Festival director Giorgos Loukos talked about the manner in which the rehearsals had been carried out these past five months, noting that the NTNG and its director were generous with funding and allowed preparations to go ahead without a hitch. The good collaboration was also highlighted by actors Nafpliotou and Psarras. «It was a meaningful and valuable experience,» said the lead actress. Her co-star added that «as an actor you need to be given a good pass if you want to score a goal.» The lead actor also spoke about the daunting task of performing in such celebrated plays. «When you come up against a monster such as this one, you have to keep your head down and face it with some awe,» he said. Michailidis also paid reverence to the ancient play. «We were given the construction of a true poet. We had to find the key to unlock the essence. Once more, a tragic poet will lead human nature to the edge, where it is not just life that is put at risk, but the entire concept of man’s existence in this world,» said the director. The production began its tour with performances in Thessaloniki and in Serbia. After playing at Epidaurus on Friday and Saturday, it will continue its tour around Greece. Tickets for the Epidaurus Festival of Ancient Drama are available at the Hellenic Festival box office (39 Panepistimiou, tel 210.327.2000).
