What would happen if someone organised the birds so that they become bearers of a new reality?
Having directed the tragedies “The Persians” and “Prometheus Bound”, Aris Biniaris returns to Andros Open-Air Theatre directing an ancient Greek comedy for the first time; on Friday 23 August he presents “The Birds” by Aristophanes.
Although the plot of this outstanding comedy is fictional, its theme is close to reality. “The Birds” present a new start, which has to be made outside human society, far from gluttony, decay and corruption.
Odysseas Papaspiliopoulos and Giorgos Chrysostomou take on the roles of Pisthetaerus and Euelpides, accompanied by numerous exceptional actors; Michalis Valasoglou, Stelios Iakovidis, Thanasis Isidorou, Tasos Korkos, Kostas Koronaios, Sofia Koulera, Avgoustinos Koumoulos, Maria Kirozi, Errikos Miliaris, Marios Panagiotou, Kiriakos Salis, Alexia Sapranidou, Konstantina Takalou and Irini Tsellou will try to found their own ideal city in the heavens, far away from people.
The plot
Disappointed with the living conditions in their city, two friends, Pisthetaerus and Euelpides, search for a new place where they can live peacefully and with joy. Their contact with the birds’ world will give them the idea to found a new city up in the heavens, between the earth and the sky.
While construction of the city is in progress, uninvited visitors from the people’s world arrive demanding arbitrary authority and privileges. At the same time, correspondents of the Olympian gods complain, worried that sovereignty of the gods is contested as the new city prevents the smoke of sacrifices from arriving in heaven.
Will Pisthetaerus and Euelpides, together with the birds’ help, manage to complete the construction of Nephelokokkygia (literally “cloud-cuckoo-land”)? How easy will it be to make their own utopia come true?
The performance
Director Aris Biniaris uses the element of ritual, aiming to bring out the allegorical extensions of Aristophanes’ work. Music and movement give centre stage to human condition, transformation and restoration of a cosmic justice.
While human civilisation has reached a critical point, the birds’ flying resembles a ceremony of initiation and reconnection of humankind with the natural world and with the unprecedented power that results from this relationship.
ARTISTIC & PRODUCTION CREDITS
Translation: Tasos Roussos
Direction: Aris Biniaris
Dramaturgy – Adaptation: Elena Triantafyllopoulou – Aris Biniaris
Set design – Costume: Paris Mexis
Musical composition: Aleksandros Drakos Ktistakis
Movement: Aleksandros Vardaxoglou
Lighting design: Vaggelis Moudrihas
Chorus masks: Dimitra Kaisari
1st Assistant director: Nefeli Papanastasopoulou
2nd Assistant director: Vaggelis Prassas
Assistant to the set designer and costume: Alegia Papageorgiou
Communications & Press office: Maria Tsolaki
Advertising – Social media: Renegade Media
Production: Τεχνηχώρος Performing Acts
Promo photography: Mariza Kapsabeli
3D graphics: Erifyli Doukeli
Video promo: Thomas Palivos
Cast:
Pisthetaerus: Odysseas Papaspiliopoulos
Euelpides: Giorgos Chrysostomou
Hoopoe: Kostas Koronaios
Oracle Man – Prometheus: Stelios Iakovidis
Poet – Iris: Konstantina Takalou
Meton – Heracles: Errikos Miliaris
Inspector – Poseidon: Marios Panagiotou
Informer: Thanasis Isidorou
Chorus: Michalis Valasoglou, Thanasis Isidorou, Tasos Korkos, Sofia Koulera, Avgoustinos Koumoulos, Maria Kirozi, Kiriakos Salis, Alexia Sapranidou, Irini Tsellou
~ In co-production with Athens Epidaurus Festival ~
ADMISSION:
GENERAL ADMISSION: € 23
DISCOUNTED ADMISSION (UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, UNEMPLOYED, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES): € 20
START TIME: 21:00