Suppliants

Two national theatres, the Cyprus Theatre Organisation and National Theatre of Greece join forces to produce an iconic play: a tragedy about war and its victims, existential dread, dignity, faith and resilience, in a new translation by Giorgos Koropoulis.

It has been 43 years since the tragedy was last staged by the National Theatre of Greece – the only time in the National Theatre’s history – directed by Takis Mouzenidis, and 29 years since the first presentation of the play by the Cyprus Theatre Organisation in Epidaurus, directed by Nikos Charalambous. This new production, a joint venture of Greek and Greek Cypriot artists, is brought to life by the incumbent artistic director of the National Theatre of Greece, Stathis Livathinos.

The mothers of the Argive generals who perished in Thebes fighting by Polynices’ side become suppliants at the temple of Demeter in Eleusis, joined by Adrastus, king of Argos. The suppliants plead with Theseus, king of Athens, to help them: the Thebans are keeping their dead sons as spoils of war and will not allow them to be buried.

In response to this just plea, Theseus decides to send out a message to Creon, king of Thebes. Soon, a Theban messenger arrives bringing a message to Theseus: he is to drive Adrastus and the mothers away, otherwise the Theban army will attack the Athenians.
Theseus leads the Athenian army against Thebes and ultimately retrieves the bodies and has them carried to Eleusis, where they are to be burnt properly. A delirious Evadne, widow of Capaneus, jumps into the funeral pyre to burn along with her husband. Mothers and children return home, carrying the ashes of their beloved ones with them.

Written in 422 BC, the tragedy echoes the battle of Delium (424 BC), in which the Thebans, allies of Sparta, defeated the Athenians and for several days would not allow them to retrieve their dead and bury them properly.

CREATION TEAM

Translator: Giorgos Koropoulis

Director: Stathis Livathinos

Designer: George Souglides

Lighting design: Alekos Anastasiou

Music: Angelos Triandafyllou

Choreography: Fotis Nikolaou

Music coach: Melina Peonidou

Assistant director: Vassilis Andreou

Directing assistant: Marina Myrtali

Design assistant: Maria Kalamara

Dramaturgy: Irene Moundraki

Mothers of Argive soldiers

Anna Giagiozi, Andri Theodotou, Kora Karvouni, Jeannie Papadopoulou, Aglaia Pappa, Maria Savvidou, Konstantina Takalou, Tania Tripi, Niovi Charalampous

Cast

Katia Dandoulaki Aethra

Theodoros Katsafados Iphis

Katerina Loura Evadne

Aglaia Pappa Athena

Akis Sakellariou Theseus

Christos Sougaris Adrastus

Andreas Tselepos Messenger

Haris Charalambous Herald

(in Greek)

Tickets: €17 | €8 (unemployed, pensioners, large-families, people under 25 years old)