International artists at the ancient theatre of Epidaurus

Epidaurus Festival 2019

Some of the world’s greatest theatre artists will grace the Epidaurus Festival 2019 with their presence. Major directors presenting their work for the first time ever at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, acclaimed theatre groups and famous actors will invite audiences to extraordinary evenings under the summer sky. The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is 125 km away from Athens, located in the mountains of Argolis. It was built in the 4th century BC as part of the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus. In 1881, the Archaeological Society began excavations at the site, but it was not until 1955 that the Epidaurus Festival was founded. Since then, every summer, people from all over the world visit the ancient theatre to admire its beauty, its perfect acoustics, and some of their favourite artists as well: Maria Callas, Pina Bausch, Kevin Spacey, Ethan Hawke, Helen Mirren, Piccolo Teatro, Schaubühne Berlin, are only some of the well-known artists and groups that have performed at the Epidaurus Festival to date, along with the crème de la crème of Greek theatre. English subtitles in all performances.   Robert Wilson Oedipus - Based on the text by Sophocles 21-22 June This year, the Festival kicks off with Oedipus by the American director Robert Wilson, one of the most iconic theatre artists in the world in his debut appearance at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, on 21 and 22 June. Based on Sophocles’ most famous tragedy, Wilson’s breathtaking artistic universe comes alive through lights, sets and images. Greece’s leading actress, Lydia Koniordou, will hold the role of the narrator in this atmospheric performance, where new technologies meet with the ancient landscape. More information and ticket click here.    Comédie-Française - Ivo van Hove Electra / Orestes by Euripides 26-27 July The internationally acclaimed director Ivo van Hove joins forces with Comédie-Française, the oldest active theatre company in the world, to work on the myth of the House Atreides. This performance marks the first time that Comédie-Française will perform at the Ancient Theatre, but also Van Hove’s Epidaurus debut. “In our performance of Electra / Orestes, we want to enact a world of great cruelty, a naturalistic world even, on stage. The Greeks pose a crucial question: what is that element which unites us instead of dividing us? This is the central question in Electra / Orestes.”, says Van Hove. One of the most important artistic events of this summer that is not to be missed. More information and tickets click here.   Municipal and Regional Theatre of Patras - Stavros Tsakiris Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus 9-10 August Often described as a "virtuoso physical performer”, the award-winning actress Kathryn Hunter will portray Prometheus in Aeschylus’ famous tragedy. With her outstanding physical presence, Hunter has earned roles typically reserved for male actors, such as King Lear or Cyrano de Bergerac. Prometheus Bound will be a watershed in Hunter’s career, marking a meeting with her Greek origins through the words of Aeschylus. Hunter will perform in Greek for the very first time in her life. A special performance, which will bring this year’s Epidaurus Festival to a close. More information and tickets click here.