Prometheus is punished by Zeus for giving fire to humanity. Hephaestus chains Prometheus on steep mountain rocks, with Cratus and Bia keeping watch. Oceanus’ daughters, the Oceanids, lament the hero’s torment. Prometheus and Oceanus discuss Zeus’ cruelty. Enter another being who has suffered the wrath of the gods: Io, Zeus’ mistress. He once transformed her into a heifer to save her from Hera’s jealousy. Hera then dispatched a gadfly to mercilessly follow Io around to the end of the world. Prometheus recounts her past travails and predicts her fate, interlinked with his own, since a distant descendant of Io is destined to set Prometheus free several years in the future. Prometheus also foresees the fall of Zeus. However, he refuses to disclose the exact circumstances of Zeus’ fall to Hermes, the messenger god. The tragedy ends with a raging Zeus unleashing his thunders against Prometheus, the still-resisting prisoner who retains his free will.
With English surtitles
Translation: Nikoletta Frintzila
Direction: Martha Frintzila
Set design - Music: Vassilis Mantzoukis
Lighting design: Felice Ross
Costume design: Ilianna Skoulaki, Baumstrasse team
Props - Masks: Camilo Bentancor, Baumstrasse team
Movement: Emmanuela Korki
Assistant directors: Michalis Panadis, Theano Metaxa, George Vourdamis-Mavrogenis, Vassia Bala
Production manager: Ioanna Nasiopoulou
Scientific associate: Iossif Vivilakis
Cast: Nikos Karathanos (Prometheus), Kora Karvouni (Io), George Vourdamis-Mavrogenis (Cratus & Bia), Kostas Vasardanis (Hephaestus, Hermes), Michalis Panadis (Oceanus)
Chorus of Oceanids: Fonέs (coached by Marina Satti): Evgenia Liakou, Erasmia Markidi, Elena Papadimitirou, Eleni Pozatzidou, Virginia Frangoulatzi, Maria Nika
Musicians: Vassilis Mantzoukis, Panagiotis Manouilidis
In this performance, we will focus on the power of language and spoken words, reciting the text in a rhythmical and melodious manner. We have decided to refrain from delivering an expressive dramatic performance, instead making discourse central, insisting on a clear recitation of the words and their meaning. Of course, this approach does not entail that performers will lack theatricality and passion. The use of masks and carefully planned movement will infuse our performance with theatricality. The performance will adopt a very strict motif of music and movement, allowing performers to express themselves inside a very tightly made aesthetic universe.
