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21.25 |
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SYNOPSIS:
‘The Bacchae’ by Bruno Coppola
The documentary ‘The Bacchae’
follows the development and performance of the National
Theatre of Northern Greece’s production of Euripides’ drama
as
conceived by Artistic Director Nikitas Tsakiroglou, and
directed by Tassos Ratsos. Award-winning UK Director Bruno
Coppola shot the entire tour, using two and sometimes three
cameras, in various ancient amphitheatres in Greece, Bitola
(FYROM) and Cyprus, culminating in a week-long run at the
State Theatre in Thessaloniki. Working with two other
editors, cutting between rehearsals, behind-the-scenes
moments, and the performance itself, Coppola has put
together a fascinating, intimate look at the inner workings
of contemporary Greek theatre at the highest level.
The play - Euripides’ last - has always held
a special place in the imagination of audiences, due to its
brilliantly defined characters, exemplary dramatic pace, and
its dark and comprehensive view of human nature. It is, in
many ways, the most modern of all the ancient Greek plays.
Experimental versions are always being staged and, this
year, the Edinburgh Festival’s version (starring Alan
Cummings) played to audiences throughout the UK and is now
in New York. However, most of these productions have been
adaptations, using the core of the play as a base, but then
taking it in various, often unrelated directions.
This version
of ‘The Bacchae’ is the real thing – a
definitive rendering of how the play may have felt in any of
the 2,500 years that it has been performed. Here we have a
play within a play: a group of Greek villagers coming
together to stage “their” home-spun version of the classic
drama. Spoken in Giorgos Chimonas’ poetic contemporary
Greek translation, so easy to understand and yet so close to
Euripides’s actual words, the play is alive from the moment
the actors appear onstage. And while the lines are
delivered in a traditional style, the staging, choreography,
lighting and costumes are all very modern, adventurous, and
accessible, thanks to the top-flight creative team assembled
for this production.
The cast, led
by Stratos Georgioglou (Greece’s one of the most famous
actors) as Dionysus, includes the top actors from the
National Theatre. The movements of the Chorus of Bacchae
are a masterclass in physical theatre. The score blends
elements of folk music, Gregorian chant, and original,
haunting melodies drawn from Greece’s millennia of musical
history. Rehearsal footage, interviews, and back-stage
material shows us how the choreographers, musicians,
technicians, and actors went about creating and perfecting
this terrific show.
Coppola’s
connection with the material dates back to his university
days, when he read the play in Ancient Greek. And in this
film, he applies a contemporary filmmaker’s tools to capture
this remarkable theatrical event. Fusing classical delivery
with ravishing and contemporary theatre and film techniques
has made the play accessible to a world audience.
‘The Bacchae’
presents a unique opportunity to see how
Greece’s most talented contemporary theatre company bring
classical theatre to life.
«Melina Merkouri: the songs I loved»
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Event Supported by the Perfecture
of Magnesia, and the Municipality of Volos, Greece. |
Unforgettable melodies of Greek and foreign cinema
The IAMVOS
Music Ensemble (info@iamvos.eu) presents an evening
dedicated to the unforgettable MELINA MERKOURI with favorite
melodies that she herself performed through her career. You
will have the chance to listen to well known melodies from
famous greek and foreign composers such as Hadjidakis,
Loizos, Theodorakis, Markopoulos, Xarhakos, Moustaki, etc.,
sung by Ms Silvia Tsimpanakou.
«IAMVOS»
consists of:
Sevi
Mazera – Mamali: Piano
Konstantinos Gravos: Trumpet
Zafeiroula Hanti: Cello
Songs and melodies by Hadjidakis, Loizos, Theodorakis, Markopoulos, Xarhakos, Moustaki
and others, with parallel digital Melina's photo and video
screenings.
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