CULTURE

‘Birds’ coming home to roost

The revival of one of the most important – if not the single most important – productions of 20th-century Greek theater ought to be considered a cultural affair of the utmost importance. Aristophanes’ «Birds,» a Karolos Koun Art Theater production featuring music by Manos Hadjidakis, sets and costumes by Yiannis Tsarouchis and choreography by Zouzou Nikoloudi, is about to return to the Herod Atticus Theater once again, exactly 49 years since its first performance at the ancient theater in 1959. Part of the Greek Festival, the performances will take place on July 20 and 21. Prior to the Athens performances, the play was staged in Beijing in February and more recently in Cyprus. This is not the first time this landmark production is being revived. Koun himself reworked it two years after its controversial debut – while the play was subsequently staged in various parts of the world to high critical acclaim, earning numerous awards at various international festivals. Following Koun’s death, the play came under the tutelage of Giorgos Lazanis and Mimis Kouyioumtzis. For the first time the play is now being revived by the Art Theater’s director Diagoras Chronopoulos, together with Costis Kapelonis and Thodoris Grampsas – all three have participated in several productions of «The Birds» over the years. What is the current revival based on? «Our memories, as well as those of senior Art Theater members, who are also part of the current production – Nikos Bousdoukos, Yiannis Degaitis and Yiannis Karatzoyiannis. We also have some video material, the songs’ original scores and, above all, a record of Zouzou’s choreography, literally hand-drawn by her,» says Chronopoulos. The production’s greatest difficulty was the choreography. «To a large extent, this production is defined by movement. It worked out well, however, because besides Zouzou’s detailed account we have two of her principal dancers, Mariza Tsiga and Victoria Tassopoulou. Having participated in a 1997 revival, they undertook the entire choreography with great attention to detail.» Designed by Tsarouchis, the production’s sets and costumes were overseen by Katerina Sotiriou, while Hadjidakis’s songs were taught by Thodoris Economou and Marina Chronopoulou. Did Chronopoulos and his team attempt any major changes? «No, we didn’t make any changes,» says the director. «The production’s flow and rhythm are determined by the music and the choreography. What we are doing is adapting, to a small extent, each role to the actor interpreting it, which is what Koun used to do. And that’s the way it should be. It’s impossible to tell an actor to imitate what so and so did.» Herod Atticus Theater, performances start at 9 p.m. For tickets, contact the Greek Festival box office (39 Panepistimiou [inside the arcade], tel 210.327.2000). For more information go to www.greekfestival.gr.

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