A French take on ‘Lysistrata’
Gerard Depardieu and Fanny Ardant enjoy the perfect relationship. «Fanny and I enjoy all the positive aspects of a couple. We don’t live, wake up or sleep together. We discover texts, we go on adventures, we have a beautiful harmony,» said the flamboyant Frenchman of his long-lasting – artistic – bond with Ardant in Athens yesterday. The celebrated French screen and stage duo is currently sharing yet another experience at the Pallas Theater in a theatrical reading of Aristophanes’ «Lysistrata.» The ancient comedy, which premiered last night and ends tonight, was adapted and directed by Jean-Paul Scarpitta. Billed as a work in progress, it is part of this year’s spring theater festival organized by the Attiki Cultural Society. «Cinema looks the same these days; the same stories, a kind of voyeurism ultimately annihilating everyone’s culture,» said Depardieu. «Theater takes us back to our roots.» For the actor, this marks the second time he appears in Greece following a production of Igor Stravinsky’s opera-oratorio «Oedipus Rex» in Epidaurus in 2001. «The production is like a love song to ancient drama,» said Ardant of her current appearance in Athens, noting that she felt particularly conscious of interpreting ancient drama in its birthplace. «I am rather dark as a person – I love violence, blood, vengeance; I enjoy the works of Aeschylus and Euripides. In Aristophanes, however, I loved the humor and the pragmatic approach.» «I wasn’t familiar with Aristophanes, I’m an actor in spite of myself,» noted Depardieu. «But what is said in Aristophanes resonates when we can’t speak but can listen.» Written in 411 BC, «Lysistrata» is the story of a group of women going against their husbands (by denying them sex) to put an end to war. «I’m not interested in politics,» noted Depardieu. «I pay exorbitant taxes, I would like to leave my country but I can’t. Politics bore me; I don’t need politics to live.» For Ardant, the only appropriate political stance is to be «against any kind of power.» Meanwhile, both actors are discovering the «Lysistrata» text nearly at the same time as the audience. «There’s love, there’s theater,» said Scarpitta of the production. «There is admiration for your culture and communication with the audience.» Much depends on the chemistry shared on stage. «I don’t know what is going to happen tonight,» said Depardieu. «One life is not enough,» said Ardant. «With Gerard, I always feel that life starts all over again.» Pallas Theater, 5 Voukourestiou, Citylink, tel 210.321.3100.
