Written in the aftermath of Athenians’ crushing defeat at the Sicilian Expedition, Euripides’ Helen is noted both for its anti-war qualities and its focus on virtues such as the power of oath and intelligence, both personified in the form of the titular heroine.
Drawing on the version of the myth created by lyrical poet Stesichorus instead of Homer’s best-known version, Euripides portrays the Trojan War as a massacre committed for a phantom rather than a real woman. A tragedy almost verging on comedy, Helen is now presented at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus in a National Theatre of Northern Greece production, directed by Vassilis Papavassiliou.
Performance dates
Friday, August 6th 2021
Saturday, August 7th 2021
Sunday, August 8th 2021
Arrival time | Starting time
19:30 | 21:00
Venue
Epidaurus - The famous ancient Τheater
Contributors
Translated by: Pantelis Boukalas, Directed by: Vassilis Papavassiliou, Dramaturgy - Collaborating director: Nikoleta Filosoglou, Set and costume design: Angelos Mentis, Musical composition: Angelos Triantafyllou, Choreography: Dimitris Sotiriou, Lighting design: Lefteris Pavlopoulos, Orchestration - Musical coaching: Yorgos Dousos, Musical coaching: Chrysa Toumanidou, Assistant to the director: Anna-Maria Iakovou, Assistant to the set and costume designer: Elli Nalmpanti, Assistant to the choreographer: Sofia Papanikandrou, Production coordinator: Athanasia Androni
Actors
Emily Koliandri (Helen), Themis Panou (Menelaus), Agoritsa Oikonomou (Theonoe), Giorgos Kafkas (Theoclymenus), Efi Stamouli (Old Woman), Dimitris Kolovos (First Messenger), Angelos Bouras, (Second Messenger), Dimitris Morfakidis (Teucer), Panagiotis Papaioannou, (Attendant) Nikolas Maragopoulos & Orestis Paliadelis (Dioscuri)
Chorus
Stavroula Arampatzoglou, Nefeli Anthopoulou, Natassa Daliaka, Eleni Giannousi, Electra Goniadou, Sofia Kalemkeridou, Egli Katsiki, Anna Kyriakidou, Marianna Pourega, Katerina Plexida, Fotini Timotheou, Chrysa Toumanidou, Loukia Vassiliou, Momo Vlachou, Chrysa Zafeiriadou
Musicians on stage
Yorgos Dousos (flute, clarinet, saxophone, kaval), Danis Koumartzis (double bass), Thomas Kostoulas (percussion), Pavlos Metsios (trumpet, electric guitar), Haris Papathanasiou (violin), Manolis Stamatiadis (piano, accordion)
Tips
All performances are played with Greek and English surtitles.
For any inconvenience and delay to be avoided, due to the current Covid-19 health measures, you are advised to arrive 90 minutes before the performance's starting time.
The theater's car park has plenty of spaces for cars and coaches.
Audience buses to and from the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus are available.
Ticketing - Box Office info
Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus - box office operates Monday to Thursday 10:00-14:00 and on performance days (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays) 10:30-21:00.
Τ. +30 210-7234567 (Monday to Sunday 09:00-21:00). Purchase online: aefestival.gr
E-mail: tickets@greekfestival.gr
More information here
Not permitted
Entry into the theatre after the start of a performance, except during an interval.
The attendance of children under the age of six.
Smoking, and the consumption of food and drink inside the theater.
The use of mobile phones during performances.
Entry into the theater in high heels.
Photography, with or without flash, and sound or video recording during a performance.
The tipping of staff.
Did you know that?
The National Theatre of Northern Greece is one of the country’s largest theatre institutions. With its five indoor and two outdoor stages, plus the appearances it makes on tour and at festivals both in Greece and internationally, it has been a driving force on the cultural scene since 1961.
The famous ancient Τheater of Epidaurus is located within the archaeological site of the Sanctuary of Asklepios, in the Argolis prefecture of Peloponnese. It is a half-hour drive from Nafplio and approximately two hours from Athens.
For intercity bus services to the Ancient Theater especially for the performances, see timetables and tickets Here.
