THEY CALLED ME MARIKA – THEY NAMED ME MARIKA by Giorgos Andreou

The summer production of the musical theatre performance They called me Marika – They named me Marika by the National Theatre of Northern Greece (NTNG), in co-production with the Serres Municipal Theatre, continues its successful tour after debuting to a full house in Serres. It will be performed for one night only at the Ancient Theatre of Philippi as part of the 67th Philippi Festival.

The performance is a tribute to the archetypal female figures who influenced Greek Folk and Rebetiko music of the past century, an original musical theatre work by Giorgos Andreou and Odysseas Ioannou, directed by NTNG Artistic Director Asterios Peltekis.

On stage, a “musical box” opens, bringing together the two Marikas, Marika Papagika and Marika Ninou—though their paths never crossed in real life—meeting theatrically. They revive stories, memories, and eras, inspired by real events and “tweaked” historical details, in a nostalgic journey through time and through the evolution of Greek music in the first half of the twentieth century.

These “Saints” of Greek Folk Song, mythical female figures— in a show where men “shine” through their absence—illuminated the stage and historic venues in Greece and abroad, unfolding the thread of history through narratives and beloved songs that have become part of our collective unconscious, including Smyrneiko, traditional, Rebetiko, Laiko, and original songs by Giorgos Andreou.

Eleni Tsaligopoulou, one of the most significant voices in contemporary Greek music, and Korina Legaki, one of the most talented singers of the younger generation, deliver outstanding performances that engage the audience, who sing along throughout the show.