THEATRE OF DELPHI: 11 July

ANCIENT THEATRE OF  EPIDAURUS: 17, 18 July


With Apollo’s assistance, Admetus, King of Pherae, has secured an unusual privilege: when his time comes to die, he will be spared, provided he can find someone to take his place in the Underworld. But who loves Admetus enough to give up their life for him?

In the end, no one volunteers to die on his behalf except for his young wife, Alcestis, who bids farewell to life and embarks on a journey to the Underworld. Everyone in the palace mourns the loss of their devoted queen, who only a hero can return to life by taking on Death and besting him.

Euripides’ oldest surviving play combines the form and characteristics of tragedy with comedic elements, irony and an optimistic ending.
Director Moschopoulos examines one of the most enigmatic works of ancient drama, a tragicomedy that rejects physical determinism and challenges death’s dominion.
It is a play that purposely leaves unanswered many questions about the motivation and choices of heroes, whom the Sophist Euripides does not hesitate to cast doubt on and demythologize.