Festival Overview
The International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama is set to make a grand return this month with its latest edition. The festival will showcase four remarkable productions in July and August, hosted at various open-air theatres across the island. These performances will feature modern interpretations of classic Greek tragedies, starting with the Tony Bulandra Theatre from Romania, presenting Euripides’ tragedy, Orestes.
Opening Production: Orestes
Directed by Yiannis Paraskevopoulos, this rendition of Orestes emphasizes the theme of suspense, where characters are perpetually caught between conflicting choices and circumstances. The festival commences on July 19 at the Paphos Ancient Odeon, with a subsequent performance at the Makarios III Amphitheatre in Nicosia on July 21.
Plot Synopsis
The story unfolds in the aftermath of Orestes’ murder of his mother, Clytemnestra. Haunted by the Furies and sentenced to death by the city, Orestes is depicted as a tormented figure, lying on a mattress with his sister Electra by his side. Their hopes hinge on their uncle Menelaus, who has returned to Argos from Troy with Helen, believing he might advocate for Orestes. However, Menelaus and their grandfather Tyndareus refuse to assist.
Desperate, Orestes turns to his loyal friend Pylades, who risks his own life to support him. Together with Electra, they devise a vengeful plan targeting Helen and her daughter Hermione. This plot spirals into a cycle of violence, ensnaring the protagonists further. The turmoil reaches a resolution with the divine intervention of Apollo, serving as the deus ex machina.
Euripides revisits the myth earlier dramatized by Aeschylus in Eumenides, infusing it with human elements and exploring themes of generational conflict, gender dynamics, social cohesion, and the existential struggles of youth in a world fraught with uncertainty.
Upcoming Performances
Following the opening act, the festival will feature a production by the National Theatre of Northern Greece, presenting Aristophanes’ Plutus at the Curium Ancient Theatre on July 26 and 27. The National Theatre of Greece will then showcase Aeschylus’ Oresteia at the same venue on August 2 and 3. The festival will conclude with another production from the National Theatre of Greece, Euripides’ The Bacchae, on August 9 and 10 at Curium.
Festival Details
The International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama will run from July 19 to August 10, featuring performances at the Ancient Odeon in Paphos, the Makarios III Amphitheatre in Nicosia, and the Curium Ancient Theatre in Limassol. All shows will start at 9 pm, with tickets priced at €12. Performances will include Greek and English surtitles. For more information, call 7000-2414 or visit www.greekdramafest.com.
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