Alcestis - National Theatre of Greece (Paphos)

The National Theatre of Greece will grace the stage with the ironic-tragic
Alcestis by Euripides.

With Apollo’s assistance, Admetus, King of Pherae, has secured an unusual privilege: when his time comes to die, he will be spared, provided he can find someone to take his place in the Underworld. But who loves Admetus enough to give up their life for him?

In the end, no one volunteers to die on his behalf except for his young wife, Alcestis, who bids farewell to life and embarks on a journey to the Underworld. Everyone in the palace mourns the loss of their devoted queen, who only a hero can return to life by taking on Death and besting him.

Euripides’ oldest surviving play combines the form and characteristics of tragedy with comedic elements, irony and an optimistic ending.
Director Moschopoulos examines one of the most enigmatic works of ancient drama, a tragicomedy that rejects physical determinism and challenges death’s dominion.

It is a play that purposely leaves unanswered many questions about the motivation and choices of heroes, whom the Sophist Euripides does not hesitate to cast doubt on and demythologize.

Adaptation & Direction: Thomas Moschopoulos
Set and costume design: Elli Papageorgakopoulou
Music: Kornilios Selamsis
Movement: Martha Kloukina
Video Design: Nancy Biniadaki, Sebastian Purfurst
Lighting Design: Lefteris Pavlopoulos
Music coach: Melina Peonidou
Dramaturg: Eva Saraga
Assistant of the director: Tassos Angelopoulos
Assistant set and costume designer: Marialena Kapotopoulou
Assistant choreographer: Vangelis Telonis
Second assistant of the director: Theano Metaxa
Second assistant set and costume designer: Kyriaki Tsitsa

Cast:
Alcestis: Maria Skoula
Admetus: Christos Loulis
Heracles: Argyris Xafis
Maidservant: Maria Protopappa
Pheres Kostas: Berikopoulos
Servant: Sokratis Patsikas
Chorus: Daphne David, Ilianna Gaitani, Vangelis Hatzinikolaou, Anna Kalaitzidou, Arian Lambert, Elina Malama, Christos Nikolaou, Ilias Panagiotakopoulos, Ioanna Pappa, Vangelis Telonis, Thanos Tokakis, Angelos Triantafyllou, Lefteris Vassilakis

Soloists: Thanassis Deligiannis, Nikos Spanos

This performance is part of the 13th International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama.