A groundbreaking moment for Greek theatre is set to unfold this March as Euripides’ Hippolytus graces the stage of the prestigious Hong Kong Arts Festival (HKAF). This marks the first time a Greek-language performance will be featured at the renowned festival, which has showcased world-class artists for over 50 years. Scheduled for March 1st and 2nd, 2025, this production represents a major milestone in bringing contemporary Greek art and ancient drama to new international audiences.
The play, a co-production of the National Theatre of Greece and Lykofos Cultural Organization, is directed by the acclaimed Katerina Evangelatos, artistic director of the Athens Epidaurus Festival (AEF). Featuring a 20-member cast of actors, chorus, and musicians, the performance will be in Greek with English and Chinese surtitles.
A Bridge Between Cultures: Expanding the Reach of Greek Theatre
The inclusion of Hippolytus in the 53rd edition of HKAF signifies a significant step in promoting Greek theatre on the global stage. This achievement aligns with the mission of GRAPE – Greek Agora of Performance, an initiative dedicated to fostering international collaborations and expanding the presence of Greek theatre and dance worldwide. Evangelatos and AEF General Director Ioannis Kaplanis have been instrumental in this effort, participating in key Asian arts festivals like PAMS (Seoul) and CSIPAF (Shanghai) to forge connections and pave the way for future productions.
A Contemporary Take on a Classic Tragedy
Evangelatos’ direction offers a radical reimagining of the classic tragedy, originally performed in 428 BC. The production, previously staged at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, presents a voyeuristic Aphrodite, capturing the unfolding drama with a camera. It explores raw human impulses of passion, purity, revenge, and sacrifice, stripping its characters bare both literally and metaphorically. Aphrodite’s wrath, ignited by Hippolytus’s devotion to chastity, sets in motion a chain of events that explore timeless themes of desire, divine power, and the complexities of justice.
A Stellar Cast Brings Euripides’ Tragedy to Life
The production boasts a talented cast of Greek actors, including:
- Stefania Goulioti: Phaedra
- Orestis Chalkias: Hippolytus
- Yiannis Tsortekis: Theseus
- Christina Maxouri: The Nurse
- Dimitris Papanikolaou: The Messenger
- Elena Topalidou: Aphrodite/Artemis
- Chorus: Daphne Kiourktsoglou, Anastasia-Rafaela Konidi, Amalia Ninou, Melina Polyzoni, Georgios Vasilopoulos, Konstantinos Georgalis, Nikos Gonidis, Christos Diamantoudis, Iraklis Kostakis, Alexandros Piechowiak, Marios Chatziantonis, Nikolas Chatzivasiliadis
- Live Music: Alexandros-Drakos Ktistakis
Many of these actors are also known for their roles in the popular Netflix series Maestro.
Continuing the Journey: From Hong Kong Back to Greece
Following its historic debut in Hong Kong, Hippolytus will return to Greece for the 70th anniversary of the Athens Epidaurus Festival this summer. This cross-continental journey exemplifies the growing international recognition of contemporary Greek theatre and its ability to connect with diverse audiences worldwide.
