“THE BACCHAE” by Euripides

Ancient Theatre of Philippi
Wednesday 9th August, 21.30

Euripides' "Bacchae", a promising theatrical event directed by Elena Mavridou and starring two of the most important representatives of the younger generation of actors, Dimitris Lalos as Dionysus and Giorgos Christodoulou as Pentheus, will be presented on Wednesday 9 August at 21.30 at the Ancient Theatre of Philippi, as part of the 66th Philippi Festival.

The leading tragedy of Ancient Greece is performed by an ensemble of exceptional actors. DIMITRIS LALOS, GIORGOS CHRISTODOULOU, VICKY VOLIOTI, ELENA MAVRIDOU, THANASIS DOVRIS, GIORGOS TRIANTAFYLLIDIS, STERGIOS KONTAKIOTIS and DIMITRA KOUZA.

The play

Dionysus, the fruit of the union between Zeus and Semele, daughter of Cadmus, King of Thebes, was never recognised as a god and was never honoured in his mother's homeland. Having conquered Asia, Dionysus now arrives in Thebes, accompanied by a group of women from Lydia - the Bacchae - who follow him faithfully. His aim is to spread his worship in Thebes and throughout Greece, but also to teach a lesson to the impertinent who deny him. The most impious among them is Pentheus, grandson of Cadmus and now king of Thebes.

The performance

The performance takes an interpretive approach to the play, exploring the Dionysian madness or 'Bacchic frenzy' through Euripides' discourse, a combination of modern and traditional music, and movement based on the ritual of the Anastenaria, probably a survival of religious practices from the cult of Dionysus. A powerful version of the Bacchae with deep roots in tradition.