promo trailer of Medea(1993)
Conceived and Directed by Dimitris Papaioannou
Edafos Dance Theatre
Video: Alexis Grivas
Music: Vincenzo Bellini
Text by Clementine Vounelaki, for the programme of the 2008 Athens Festival, photos by Rene Habermacher
MEDEA [2]
Fifteen years have passed since the first performance of Medea (1993), Dimitris Papaioannou’s signature work and unquestionably the most inspired achievement of Edafos Dance Theatre, an ensemble that left an indelible mark on the Greek dance-theatre scene of recent times. This inventive, water-bound retelling of the Medea myth was warmly received on its travels round the world, enchanting audiences with its visual power and ingenious coupling of silent, stylised movement with the drama of Bellini’s operas. Glowingly reviewed by the international press, the work has well endured the passage of time. This year, Papaioannou returns to take a fresh look at Medea, bringing the wealth of his experience to bear on this historic and accomplished work. Reworking the production with an all-new cast, he seeks to isolate and convey the essence of what made the original version so captivating.
Conceived, Directed and Choreographed by Dimitris Papaioannou | Dimitris Papaioannou (born: 21 June 1964) is a Greek avant-garde stage director, choreographer and visual artist who drew international media attention and acclaim[1] with his creative direction of the Opening Ceremony of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. His varied 24-year-long career has seen him conceive and direct stage works for Edafos Dance Theatre and Elliniki Theamaton, direct operas and music stage shows, work as a costume, set and make-up designer, and publish over 40 comics.
Set Design: Nikos Alexiou
Lighting Design: Alekos Yiannaros
Sound Composition and Design: Coti K.
Music: A collage of excerpts drawn from the operas of Vincenzo Bellini
Art Direction - Costume Design: Thanos Papastergiou - Dimitris Papaioannou
Sculpture Design: Nectarios Dionysatos
Assistant Director: Tina Papanikolaou
Make-up Design: Ioanna Tselenta
Assistant Choreographers: Nikos Dragonas, Nikos Kalogerakis
Assistant Lighting Designer:Thodoris Michopoulos
Assistant Costume Designer: Vassilia Rozana
Make-up Assistant: Evelina Zagari
Hair Styling: Alexandros Balambanis
Technical Director: Costas Kefalas
Stage Hands: Georgios Bambanaras, Mahmod Bamerny, Drossos Skotis
Lighting Programmer and Operator: Tassos Glykos
Sound Operators: Alexandros Diakos, Nikolas Kazazis
Performed by:
Medea / Evangelia Randou
Jason / Yiannis Nikolaidis
Dog / Aris Servetalis
Glauce / Katerina Liontou
Sun / Fevos Papadopoulos
where and when:
1-2 August 2008 during the Meet in Beijing Festival at National Centre for the Performing Arts in China
3-30 October 2008 for 20 performances at Pallas Theatre in Athens, Greece (tickets)
