with Dimitris Kataleifos
Ancient Theatre of Philippi
Sunday 27th August, 21.00
The iconic tragedy, Sophocles’ masterpiece “Oedipus at Colonus”, will be presented at the Ancient Theatre of Philippi on Sunday 27th August at 9pm as part of the 66th Philippi Festival. Dimitris Kataleifos, one of the leading Greek actors, in the most mature moment of his great career, and a select group of protagonists – Christos Hadjipanagiotis, Angeliki Papathemeli, Alexandra Aidini, Maximos Moumouris, Christos Sapountzis, Giorgos Nousis – in an ensemble of fourteen actors, under the direction of Giorgos Skevas, are presented by the Cultural Organization “Lykofos” in co-production with the Athens and Epidaurus Festival.
The play
The tragedy “Oedipus at Colonus” is Sophocles’ last play. First performed five years after his death, it tells the story of the end of Oedipus, once the powerful king of Thebes.
Oedipus, now old, blind and exiled, arrives after much wandering at the Athenian demos of Hippius Colonus, led by one of his daughters, Antigone. He sits on a rock in the sacred grove of the Eumenides, but a resident of Colonus discovers him and asks him to leave because the place where he sits is sacred and inviolable. Oedipus refuses because the oracle has foretold that this will be his final resting place. The resident of Colonus asks the elders of the city to decide. They sympathise with the old man’s plea, but when they learn his name, they are horrified and order him to leave their land immediately. Oedipus invokes Athenian hospitality and asks to see Theseus, the king of Athens, because he has a great gift to offer him for his city. Meanwhile, Ismene, Oedipus’ daughter, arrives unexpectedly with news from Thebes: Oedipus’ sons, Polynices and Eteocles, are on the brink of civil war, each claiming the throne and power. Furthermore, a new oracle declares that whoever has Oedipus on their side, dead or alive, will win. Theseus arrives and Oedipus begs him to protect him as long as he lives and to bury him in the soil of Athens when his life comes to an end. Theseus, honouring Oedipus, promises both and assures him that he will be safe. Creon bursts onto the scene and announces that he has come on behalf of all Thebans to persuade Oedipus to return to his homeland, Thebes. Seeing that his words do not convince Oedipus, but rather enrage him, Creon resorts to violence to achieve his goal…
CREDITS
Translation: Chrysa Prokopaki, Thanos Tsaknakis
Direction: Giorgos Skevas
Dramaturgy: Giorgos Skevas, Chrysa Prokopaki
Set Design – Costumes: Lili Pezanou
Music: Simi Tsilali
Lighting Design: Lefteris Pavlopoulos
Movement Direction: Damiano Ottavio Bigi
Photography: Patroklos Skafidas
Assistant Director: Giannis Savouidakis
Assistant Costume Designer: Charis Souliotis
Production Management: Katerina Berdeka
Production Assistants: Vangelis Vogiatzis, Xenia Kalantzi
Tour Organization: 5i Epochi
Tour Communication: Margarita Sisiou
Production: Giorgos Lykiardopoulos
Athens Epidaurus Festival
Cast: Dimitris Kataleifos, Christos Hadjipanagiotis, Angeliki Papathemeli, Alexandra Aidini, Maximos Moumouris, Christos Sapountzis, Giorgos Nousis, Nikos Nikas, Giorgos Frintzilas, Damiano Ottavio Bigi, Nikos Dertilis, Giorgos Boutsikas, Panos Apostolopoulos, Antonis Antoniadis, Paris Paraskevadis
“Oedipus at Colonus” by Sophocles
Ancient Theatre of Philippi
Sunday 27 August, 21.00
Tickets: 20€ General Admission, 17€ Reduced (unemployed, students, under 18, over 65)
Pre-sale:
Kavala: Visitor Information Centre of the Municipality of Kavala (former EOT) Central Square, tel: 2510-620566, daily from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 18:00 to 21:00, while on the days of the performances there will be a pre-sale at the box office of the Ancient Theatre of Philippi from 19:30 in the afternoon.
Krinides: Café “Proskinio”, Ancient Theatre of Philippi, phone: 2510516090
Drama: “Americanino 30” 30 G. Papandreou Street, phone: 2521058206
Travel agency “Michailidis Tours”, 20 Smyrnis Street, phone: 2521045755
Xanthi: Bookstore ‘DYO’, 29 Venizelou Street, phone: 25410-27777
Also online: https://www.ticketservices.gr/event/oidipous-epi-kolono
No admission to the theatre once the performance has begun.
This year it will be possible to be transported to and from the Ancient Theatre of Philippi by bus of the Kavala Bus Company on presentation of a ticket for the performance and a fare of 3.20€. The bus departs from Kavala bus station at 19.15 and returns at the end of the performance. For further information and seat reservations, please call the Municipal and Regional Theatre of Kavala on 2510. 220876-7 during office hours.
