based on peace and democracy, but offers no guar-
antee of attaining the coveted internal balance,
freedom and personal happiness. A tight-knit group
of 12 fine actors shares all roles in all three plays
that comprise the
Oresteia
trilogy, including the
Chorus. Translation: Dimitris Dimitriadis Adapted
and Directed by: Yannis Houvardas [July 8 & 9]
NATIONAL THEATRE MICHAEL MARMARINOS
Lysistrata
by Aristophanes
Michael Marmarinos meets the great comic play-
wright for the very first time, directing
Lysistrata
,
Aristophanes’ most anti-war play, with a group of
superb performers. The play is based on a new
translation by Dimitris Dimitriadis, while the main
character is played by Lena Kitsopoulou. While
the Peloponnesian War is still raging, keeping the
men away from their homes, Lysistrata persuades
the women of Athens and Sparta to abstain from
their “marital duties”, with the aim of bringing an
end to the hostilities between the two cities. At the
same time, the women seize control of the state
treasury, which funds the war.
The women’s actions bring immediate results,
and the male camp tries to respond anyway it
can. After lots of give and take, squabble, and
negotiation, peace is at last achieved, and the
event is celebrated with a Dionysian feast.
[August 5 & 6]
Athens Open Air Film Festival 2016
Shakespeare in the city
The Athens Festival joins forces with the Athens
Trade with Greece
108
Open Air Film Festival, hosting three shows dedi-
cated to William Shakespeare. Three historical
movies, each one a unique interpretation of a
classical play, are shown in the Garden of Piraeus
260, which is converted into a large open air cin-
ema. The event is sponsored by the British
Council.
Macbeth
(1971)
Polanski presents a nightmarish
version of the famous Shakespearean tragedy
that recounts the bloody consequences of the
unquenched desire for power, using the harsh
landscape of north Wales as a backdrop. Jon
Finch plays the Scottish war hero, whose high
ambitions open a fatal cycle of violence. Director:
Roman Polanski. Screenplay by: Roman
Polanski, Kenneth Tynan.
King Lear
(1970)
Lear’s descent into the
inescapable realm of madness (as he sees his
empire collapse) begins with his absurd decision
to distribute his wealth among his three daughters
on the basis of their flattery. Peter Brook’s adap-
tation of
King Lear
features British theatrical leg-
end Paul Scofield in the leading role. Director:
Peter Brook Screenplay by: Peter Brook.
The Tempest
(1979)
Jarman tackles Shakespeare’s
swan song. Twelve years after the loss of the duchy
of Milan as a result of his brother’s plotting, Prospero
is stranded on a remote island with his daughter,
Miranda, having, nonetheless, mastered the secrets
of sorcery. A twist of fate that brings Antonio’s ship to
the island will restore order. Director: Derek Jarman
Screenplay by: Derek Jarman.
[July 7, 13 & 20, Piraeus 260, Garden]
YIANNIS HOUVARDAS
Oresteia
