National comes in strong with Racine’s ‘Andromache’
Jean Racine’s «Andromache,» a tragedy in five acts inspired by an extract of Virgil’s Aeneid, marks the first major production of the Greek National Theater for the summer season. Dimitris Mavrikios, a longtime scholar of Racine’s work and the man behind this production, has also translated, adapted and is directing the play. Andromache, a figure of myth, daughter of the king of Kilkis, widow of Hector and mother of Astyanax, is one of the most noble characters in the works of Homer and Euripides. First published in 1667, «Andromache» is the play that made Racine’s name, signaling his break from Baroque conventions. His free interpretation of the character and his divergence from the legend marked one of the earliest steps toward modern drama. The Greek National Opera cast is led by Lydia Fotopoulou as Andromache, Maria Kehagioglou as Hermione, Nikos Karathanos as Pyrrhus and Christos Loulis as Orestes. The production will premiere at the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus tomorrow and Saturday in the context of the Hellenic Festival, and will then go on tour. Hellenic Festival, tel 210.327.2000; Greek National Theater, tel 210.528.8100/522.0585.
