Sir Peter Ustinov graces Herod Atticus Theater
August will bring us one of the great names of world theater and cinema – Sir Peter Ustinov. Apart from being a knight, a title bestowed upon him by Queen Elizabeth II, Ustinov is also a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. The performance he will give at the Herod Atticus Theater on August 9 in aid of UNICEF is called «The Creations of Prometheus.» In this brilliant soliloquy, which he also wrote, Sir Peter returns, as he puts it, «to the birthplace of civilization, to Greece, with a work inspired by the wonderful myth of Prometheus.» Ustinov makes a connection between the ancient Greek spirit and modern European thought. He arrives here on August 8 to give a press conference. The actor provided a statement about «The Creations of Prometheus.» According to the inimitable actor: «Art has the strength to convert the dimensions of a large theater into those of a small room. Instead of encountering the audience as one big mass, we are able to view it as a connection of individuals, with entirely different sensitivities and tastes. In this production I not only want to make small truths less harsh, but as pleasant as possible. And that’s the meaning and the only truth of the performance I’ll be presenting at the Herod Atticus.» The monologue will be accompanied, more or less, by Beethoven’s music for Prometheus. Nothing’s too good for a myth. The State Legal Council yesterday ruled that an improved bid by Casino Attica, the consortium of the Loutraki casino and Piraeus Bank, for a 49-percent stake in the Mont Parnes Casino, submitted 11 days after the rival consortium of Hyatt Regency and construction firm Hellenic Technodomiki was declared winner early this month, could not be accepted. Casino Attica submitted an improved bid of 162 million euros – compared to Hyatt-Hellenic Technodomiki’s winning bid of 92.1 million euros – claiming irregularities and calling for a rerun of the bidding process. The 45-member council ruled with 26 votes against acceptance, 17 in favor and 9 abstenting. The winner of the tender has an option to acquire an additional 2-percent share following completion of an investment program. Separately, an Athens court ruled against an injunction applied for by Casino Attica, saying that a suit brought by the consortium is due to be properly considered in court in a few days’ time. The winning bidders said in a statement that Casino Attica is anxious to stop the development of Mont Parnes as this would mean more competition for Loutraki casino.
