“Plutus” by Aristophanes Directed by: Giannis Kakleas
FOREST FESTIVAL 2024 VENUE: Forest (Dasous) Theatre DATES: Wednesday 3 & Thursday 4 July 2024 SURTITLES: English
ATHENS EPIDAURUS FESTIVAL 2024 VENUE: Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus DATES: Friday 19 & Saturday 20 July 2024 SURTITLES: English & Greek TOUR
Τhe National Theatre of Northern Greece presents Aristophanes’ comedy “Plutus”. The play is translated, adapted and directed by Giannis Kakleas. Manos Vakousis, recently awarded with the Karolos Koun Grand Prize for Theatre, is portraying Chremylus. The cast is joined by Alexandra Palaiologou. The musical part of the performance is joined by Xatzifrageta, Nalyssa Green and Teleftaios Kalesmenos. The performance features Maria Efthymiou, Professor of History at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE PLAY We are in 388 BC. The Peloponnesian War has ended with the Athenians left crashed and defeated, which marked the end of the Athenian hegemony. The honest Chremylus, a poor Athenian peasant, Aristophanes’ alter ego, is experiencing the new reality in a traumatic way: social values, ideas, and morals have fallen away. The lack of resources and social justice, as well as the fear of impoverishment, terrify this romantic utopian, especially for his child’s future. He resorts to the Oracle of Delphi posing the agonising question “what can I do to ensure a secure future for my child?”. The oracle tells him to take care of the first helpless person he meets on his way. This is none other than the god Plutus, who generously gives away gold, money, and all material goods Chremylus and the whole society has dreamt of! They are all rich now! Their dream has come true. But deep down this dream turns out to be a test: in the absence of social cohesion and solidarity, self-awareness, and social conscience, how can the common good be served? Our poet, in his own, uniquely satirical manner, shows us a way of managing material goods, but always with the interests of the Polis in mind –a Polis with just, honest, and virtuous citizens. Is this utopian? Possibly. Aristophanes however reserves the right to dream!
CREDITS Direction - Τext translation - Adaptation: Giannis Kakleas, Set design: Manolis Pantelidakis, Costumes: Ilenia Douladiri, Original Music: Vaios Prapas, Original lyrics: Teleftaios Kalesmenos, Choreographies: Stefania Sotiropoulou, Lighting: Stella Kaltsou, Assistant to the director: Aris Kakleas, Collaborating set & costume designer: Danai Pana, Collaborating set designer: Elina Drakou, Assistant to the costume designer: Manolis Psomatakis, Assistant to the lighting designer: Ifigeneia Gianniou, Production coordinator: Athanasia Androni Cast: Mary Andreou (Aeropi), Manos Vakousis (Chremylos), Dimitris Diakosavvas (Kleonymos), Anna Efthymiou (Penia III), Alexandros Zouridakis (Plutus), Anastasia Kelesi (Carion’s friend), Fay Kokkinopoulou (Archidamia), Eleni Mischopoulou (Lysimachi), Dimitris Morfakidis (Elpinor), Fabricio Muco (Carion’s friend), Christina Bakastathi (Carion’s friend), Chrysi Bachtsevani (Penia II), Kleio Danai Othonaiou (Penia IV), Alexandra Palaiologou (Elpiniki), Polyxeni Spyropoulou (Penia I), Giannis Syrios (Carion), Foteini Timotheou (Lefkothea), Giannis Tomazos (Carion’s friend), Christos Tsavos (Carion’s friend), Giannis Tsemperlidis (Artemidoros), Thanos Feretzelis (Filopoimin), Giannis Charisis (Thrasymachos / Ηigh Priest) Dancers: Anastasia Kelesi, Stefania Sotiropoulou, Marios Chatziantonis, Nikolas Chatzivasileiadis Musicians on stage: Vaios Prapas, Teleftaios Kalesmenos, Xatzifrageta, Nalyssa Green, Dimitra Antonakoudi The performance features Maria Efthymiou, Professor of History at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Neighbours - Ιnitiates - Choreography οf Chremylos and Penia - Guests at the party: The troupe TOUR PROGRAMME JULY WED 3, THU 4 Thessaloniki, Forest (Dasous) Theatre FRI 19, SAT 20 Epidaurus, Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus FRI 26, SAT 27 Cyprus, Ancient Theatre of Kourion AUGUST SAT 3 Kavala, Ancient Theatre of Philippi WED 7 Ιoannina, Ancient Theatre of Dodoni SAT 10 Pieria, Ancient Theatre of Dion THU 29 Kilkis, Lofos of Agios Georgios Theatre SEPTEMBER SUN 1 Thessaloniki, Forest (Dasous) Theatre SUN 8 Elefsina, Old Oil Mill Factory THU 12 Attica, Katrakeio Theatre of Nikaia SAT 14 Attica, Papagou Garden Theatre