A comedy with the DNA of a tragedy
Ancient Theatre of Philippi
Friday 25th & Saturday 26th August, 21.00
Known for their atmospheric, almost dreamlike productions, Efi Birba and Aris Servetalis present their new performance, ‘The Frogs’ by Aristophanes, on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th August at 9pm at the Ancient Theatre of Philippi, as part of the 66th Philippi Festival. A modern adaptation of the beloved Aristophanic comedy that deals with the value of poetry and art in our society.
Efi Birba delivers a comedy with the DNA of a tragedy, translated by Konstantinos Blathras, adapted in collaboration with Konstantinos Blathras and Aris Servetalis, with music by Constantine Skourlis. The cast is completed by an excellent group of performers: Aris Servetalis, Michalis Sarantis, Argyris Xafis, Ilektra Nikolouzou, Mairi Mina, Ektoras Liatsos, Michalis Theofanous, Alexandra Kazazou, Nancy Boukli and Kyriakos Salis.
Athens is going through a deep political and intellectual crisis, a crisis of institutions and values. In the arid and threatening reality of the city, Dionysus, father and creator of the theatre, sets out on a journey to the Underworld to bring back the seed of renaissance, of poetry, to save the crumbling world. Accompanied by Xanthias and the sound of frogs, through a series of comical and paradoxical encounters, he reaches Hades to resurrect the Poet. The one who can face the coming destruction. Out of the cracks of the play’s pure comedy, the weaknesses of the living and the dead escape and the fetid waters of reality are stirred. Envisioning the great idea of saving the world, Dionysus’ descent into Hades simultaneously becomes a descent into the mechanism of theatre itself. In the footsteps of Dionysus, the performance in turn seeks to reach the core of theatrical creation, with the magnificent Aristophanic expressionism as its guide.
Credits
Translation: Konstantinos Blathras
Direction – Set Design: Efi Birba
Adaptation: Efi Birba, Aris Servetalis, Konstantinos Blathras
Music: Constantine Skourlis
Lighting Design: Giorgos Karvelas
Costume Design: Efi Birba, Vasileia Rozana
Movement Design: Michalis Theofanous
Assistant Director – Artistic Associate: Daphni Antoniadou
Assistant Set Designer – Artistic Associate: Vasia Lyri
Assistant Costume Designer – Artistic Associate: Alexandros Garnavos
Sound Consultant: Nikolas Kazazis
Photography: Giorgos Kaplanidis
Press Office – Communication: Maria Tsolaki
Social Media-Advertising: Renegade Media / Vasilis Zarkadoulas
Production: Choros Technis
Cast: Aris Servetalis, Michalis Sarantis, Argyris Xafis, Ilektra Nikolouzou, Mairi Mina, Ektoras Liatsos, Michalis Theofanous, Alexandra Kazazou, Nancy Boukli, Kyriakos Salis
~ Co-produced with the Athens Epidaurus Festival ~
“The Frogs” by Aristophanes
Ancient Theatre of Philippi
Friday 25th & Saturday 26th August, 21.00
General Admission: 20€
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.more.com/theater/batraxia-tou-aristofani-periodeia/
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.
