The first Ancient Greek drama

By Emmelia Georgiou

The Persians by ancient Greek tragedian Aeschylus is the earliest surviving work of Ancient Greek drama and the only one based on historical events. It centres around the defeat of Persian arrogance and the triumph of the Greek spirit, adopting a special narrative form.

In this play, Xerxes invites the god’s enmity for his hubristic expedition against Greece and the focus of the drama is the defeat of Xerxes’ navy at Salamis.
Translated by Panagiotis Moullas, with direction and musical dramaturgy by Aris Biniaris, a young director that stands out for his explosive performances, the cast consists of a dynamic group of established as well as young actors. This includes Karyofyllia Karabeti playing the role of Atossa, Harry Charalambous playing the messenger, Nikos Psarras as Darius and Antonis Miriagos as Xerxes. They will be backed by a 13-member chorus.

According to the director, “the performance is both a theatrical and musical event and constitutes a live combination of poetic speech, music and theatrical action. It sets free the essence of the aeschylian drama and leads the audience to the understanding of the panhuman nature of ancient drama. The actors approach the meanings, rhythms and sounds of the poetic text with musicality as their vehicle for representation and transformation. All the main characters, as well as the Chorus, reveal the musical texture of the play through their performance. Using this simple composition, the performance unfolds through basic levels – actions, logos, song and movement – conquering a simplicity that reveals the incessant vibrations of ancient Greek drama and its appeal in today’s world.”
The Persians will be staged all over the island as of Thursday in Nicosia, and it will then continue its tour in Greece.

The Persians
Performance of the play by Aeschylus. July 13-15. Makarios III Amphitheatre, Nicosia. 9pm. €17/8. Tel: 77-772717
July 19. Paphos Ancient Odeon, Paphos
July 21-22. Curium Ancient Theatre, Episkopi, Limassol
July 26. Deryneia Municipal Amphitheatre, Deryneia, Famagusta
July 28. Pattichio Municipal Amphitheatre, Larnaca