The Best of GRReporter
flag_bg flag_gr flag_gb

A performance dedicated to Melina Mercouri will be presented in Prespa and Irodio theatre

18 August 2013 / 16:08:04  GRReporter
5318 reads

The premiere of the exclusive performance "Melina - wherever I travel to, Greece…" devoted to the unforgettable Melina Mercouri will be a part of the Prespeia International Festival which will take place on 24 August. The show will be then presented at Irodio theatre on 7 September.

A mermaid, who touched a loss and turned it into a victory

"It is no coincidence that the premiere of the show will take place on the island of Agios Ahilios (St. Achilles)," said inspirer and founder of the festival George Lianis at yesterday's press conference at the Acropolis Museum. "This is the outermost island of Greece, with only 24 inhabitants. They say that in ancient times there were mermaids here. And isn’t Melina a mermaid? A mermaid, who touched sadness and turned it into joy, touched a loss and turned it into a victory. When Melina went there a year before she died, she said two things: Greece does not end at the border, but starts at the border. The border is not a punishment, it is an honour!"

"The only minister, whom the Greeks remember ..."

When asked why they will honour Melina Mercouri this year, Lianis said: "Because we miss her. We miss her feisty nobility; her wisdom. But we miss her passion for this country more than anything, this country, which is "dying as a country." We miss her because culture is severely hit by the crisis. And it is precisely the Minister of Culture who was the only Ministerwhom the Greeks remember. Now we need Melina - now, when countless national apostates have crawled out in the country. I admit, the idea of the event is related to the fact that Greece is split in a million pieces and no one is gathering them. Perhaps she would have succeeded..."

The performance

The performance makes use of the theatre, music and dance in order to show the most important stages of her life, songs, theatrical and cinema roles, as well as moments of her actions and struggles, which she left in a legacy.

"We want to try and hopefully we will be able to make a performance that will show us the voice and passion of Melina and remind us of the smile of this important woman," said Sofia Spiratou who is the director. Poet Stratis Paschalis, author of the texts, added "My goal was to give an opportunity to the actress in the lead role, not to imitate Melina, but talk with her authentic words."

Stavros Xarchakos

The music is curated by composer and Melina’s collaborator, Stavros Xarchakos and Elli Paspala and Iro Saia will sing the songs. Maria Nafpliotu and Yiannis Stankoglou are starring in the leading roles. Scenography and costumes -Yiannis Medzikof; Lighting - Lefteris Pavlopoulos. Also starring Alberto Fais, Hloi Mandzari, Nefeli Maistrali, Kostas Silvestros and a group of 12 dancers.

Maria Nafpliotu and Yiannis Stankoglou

Information

Entry is free to the public at the festival in Prespa. In Irodio tickets will cost 15, 25, 45, 65 and 90 euro. Starts: 21:00. Information: 210 600 8840.

Tags: Prespia Festival Irodio Melina Mercouri performance
SUPPORT US!
GRReporter’s content is brought to you for free 7 days a week by a team of highly professional journalists, translators, photographers, operators, software developers, designers. If you like and follow our work, consider whether you could support us financially with an amount at your choice.
Subscription
You can support us only once as well.
blog comments powered by Disqus