Live from Epidaurus | The Persians by Aeschylus | National Theatre of Greece (Sat., July 25, 2020)

                                        Live from Epidaurus: For the first time ever a live ancient Greek drama performance streamed globally from the ancient theater of Epidaurus


Live from Epidaurus
Aeschylus, The Persians
National Theatre of Greece
With the support of the Greek Ministry of Culture & Sports
In partnership with Google Greece
Saturday, July 25, 2020
(14.00 New York time, 19.00 London time, 20.00 Paris time, 21.00 Athens time)

In Greek with English subtitles

For the first time ever, an ancient Greek drama performance will be streamed live, from the ancient theater of Epidaurus, often called “the world’s most beautiful theater.”

As countries around the world are still exploring ways to restart theater in the post-COVID era, and as most festivals across Europe have been unfortunately canceled this year, the Athens and Epidaurus Festival will still take place, albeit in a condensed form, titled Fragment, adhering to the strictest safety measures.

Within the framework of this year’s Festival, the National Theatre of Greece with the support of the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports will present to a global audience a production of Aeschylus’ drama The Persians, commemorating the 25th centennial of the Battle of Salamis. It is the first time that a major ancient Greek drama production is being livestreamed, and it is also the first time that any event is being livestreamed from Epidaurus.

On this occasion, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated: “As humanity is still challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic, the first ever live streaming of an ancient Greek drama performance from the ancient theater of Epidaurus is, Ι believe, a pivotal moment. This performance of Aeschylus' The Persians, on July 25, comes at a critical juncture to underscore the universality of the principles that led to the construction of the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus, a UNESCO World Heritage site, 2300 years ago. The Persians, Aeschylus’ most important antiwar play, dramatizes the naval battle of Salamis, one of the most decisive battles in the history of humanity, constantly recalling the timeless values of democracy and freedom, as well as the meaning of Ancient Greek metron and moderation.”

The play will be streamed live at 21.00 Athens time (GMT 2), in partnership with Google Greece. It will be available worldwide except Greece, exclusively through the YouTube platform, free of charge, although donations will be welcomed. All proceeds will benefit the National Theatre and Greek actors impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Google will host the livestreaming and provide technical support as well as major free promotion across YouTube regarding the livestreaming event.

The play is in Greek with English subtitles and lasts approximately 90 minutes. It will be streamed through livefromepidaurus.gr and will be also available at the websites of the National Theatre of Greece, the Athens and Epidaurus Festival and the Ministry of Culture and Sports, as well as the National Theatre of Greece’s YouTube channel.

The play
The Persians (472 BCE) is the oldest ancient Greek drama that has survived in full to present day. It is also a historical record of the most important battle of the second Persian invasion of Greece (and one of the most crucial conflicts in human history), the Battle of Salamis, in which the play’s author, Aeschylus, took part.

Credits
● Translation – Metric coaching: Theodoros Stephanopoulos
● Directed by Dimitris Lignadis
● Choreography - Movement: Konstantinos Rigos
● Set design: Alegia Papageorgiou
● Costume design: Eva Nathena
● Music: Giorgos Poulios
● Lighting Design: Christina Thanasoula
● Music coaching: Melina Peonidou
● Assistant to the director: Nurmala Easty
● Dramaturg: Eva Saraga
● Assistant to the set designer: Daphne Foteinatou
● Assistant to the costume designer: Sofia Gavala
● Assistants to the choreographer: Markella Manoliadou, Angelos Panagopoulos
● Assistant to the light designer: Marieta Pavlaki

Cast (in alphabetical order)
● Vasilis Athanasopoulos
● Alberto Fais
● Konstantinos Gavalas
● Nikos Karathanos
● Lydia Koniordou
● Spyridon Kyriazopoulos
● Alkiviadis Maggonas
● Laertes Malkotsis
● Giorgos Mavridis
● Argyris Pandazaras
● Dimitris Papanikolaou
● Giannos Perlegas
● Michalis Theofanous
● Argyris Xafis dy/>