Tragedy to comedy

A month of ancient Greek drama from around the world kicks off this week
IT’S ALL Greek to me. Well, actually, it isn’t. You’d think the International Theatre Festival of Ancient Greek Drama, set to be one of the most talked about events of the summer, would be. But take heed of the word international in that title. There will be 18 performances by eight theatre companies at this year’s International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama, which will include ballet, drama and music.

“This is the ninth international festival that is taking place in Cyprus,” explained Neophytos Neophytou, deputy manager of the Cyprus branch of the International Theatre Institute, “and each year we are trying to get better and bring better plays to the stages.” The festival has made itself, over the years, as one of the most important cultural events in Cyprus. “It is very popular among tourists as well as residents of Cyprus,” explained Neophytou, “and this year we have gotten more theatres interested because they know it isn’t the usual Greek festival. It’s about learning just how our plays are being staged in other countries.”

The month-long programme kicked off with Antigone by Sophocles; the famous tragedy about pride and how a girl rises up alone and dies young. It has been staged by the Cyprus Theatre Organisation, in Greek. “Although this is an international festival, we are very proud to have a Greek Cypriot play with Greek Cypriot actors,” Neophytou said.

Prometheus by Aeschylus is next up and will be staged in a very different manner by the Moscow State Ballet Theatre Company, which will portray the punishment of Prometheus through dramatic dance. An opportunity to enjoy Prometheus Bound will be offered by the Larissa Municipal Regional Theatre from Greece.

Euripides’ pure plots of revenge through his work could not be missing from this festival, so Medea, the mother of all revenge tragedies, is being staged by Company Collisions from the UK. Artistic director, Tanushka Marah has already won the Jerwood Young Director Awards at The Young Vic for his work on Medea. But probably the most interesting feature of this particular play will be the scenes of death, that are usually written out, occurring in front of the audience’s eyes this time.
Clouds, a work by Aristophanes, will take the festival back to its true international meaning by bringing in an Armenian performance to stage. The Yerevan State Youth Theatre will be organising a performance for the first time in Cyprus. “This is the whole point of the festival,” explained Neophytou, “to get different performances in different languages but always maintaining the Greek style by making it an Ancient Greek Drama Festival.”

The State Theatre of Northern Greece has decided to go with Aristophanes as well and will put on Peace. “We are very enthusiastic about the fact that we’ve got Northern Greece involved in this year’s festival,” explained Neophytou “and it’s great to have the same play writer’s work on stage by two different cultures.”

Although Sophocles’ Antigone will open the show, none other than the Theatre de l’Opsis will bring his immortal story of Electra to life on stage from Canada. Much has been talked about regarding Euripides’ version of Electra but it seems as though the play, which will be performed in French, will use Sophocles’ idea of how gods and humans battled.
The international month will come to an end with the play Frogs by Aristophanes, which has won an award for its excellent writing and comic portrayal. With Aeschylus and Sophocles being part of Aristophanes’ story, it seems as though a good laugh to bow out the festival is just what is needed.

WHAT’S ON WHEN

Antigone
July 9 Paphos Odeon
July 13, 14, 15 Ancient Curium
July 19 Dherynia Amphitheatre
July 21 Skali Amphitheatre, Nicosia

Prometheus
July 11 Ancient Curium
July 13 Paphos Odeon

Medea
July 15 at Paphos Odeon
July 16 at Ancient Curium
July 17 at Makarios III Amphitheatre Nicosia

Prometheus Bound
July 21 at Ancient Curium
July 22 at Makarios III Amphitheatre Nicosia
July 23 at Paphos Odeon

Clouds
July 28 at Makarios III Amphitheatre Nicosia
July 30 at Paphos Odeon

Peace
July 29 at Paphos Odeon
July 30 at Makarios III Amphitheatre Nicosia
August 1 at Ancient Curium

Electra
August 4 at Paphos Odeon
August 5 at Ancient Curium
August 6 at Makarios III Amphitheatre Nicosia

Frogs
August 7 at Paphos Odeon

All performances start at 9pm. For tickets: Paphos: Moufflon Bookshop 26 934850, Stokkos 26 947037, Time Out 26 949522; Limassol: Pattichion Theatre 25 343341, All Brent Cross Stores 25 378344; Nicosia: Strovolos Municipal Theatre 22 313010, All Play Stores 22 813737. Festival info: 22 674920 or 99 542165

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