All three are in their ninth decade of life, and their names have been associated with the theatrical avant-garde for many years. German Peter SteinAmerican Robert Wilson and the one who was born in Kharkov Adolf Shapiro they will meet again with the Greek public this time in Municipal Theater of Piraeus. At yesterday’s press conference on the theatre’s 2023-2024 arts program, Stein and Wilson, two directors who have made a mark on contemporary theater, took turns talking about the productions they have in store for the coming months.

This “trilogy”, as the ITCP Artistic Director called it Lefteris Yovanidis new productions – partnerships between independent theater producers and municipal theater – open “Misanthrope” Molière directed by Stein (19/4). The German director has been working with the actors of the play for two weeks already and, as he jokingly said, has become their nightmare, because during daily rehearsals he asks to listen to the text also in French, which he knows very well, while he gives instructions in English language. He specified that his production will recreate his previous work, which was presented in Paris a few years ago, and it remains to be seen if he will follow what he has said and shown in the recent past: that he wants Molière to be reproduced realistic. Speaking specifically to Vasilis Charalambopoulos, who plays the misanthrope Alceste, he wondered how he could make him unloved by the public, because he is an actor who has established himself in his favorite roles. Olia Lazarida will play the prudent Arsinoe.

The premiere of the second part of the “trilogy” will take place at the end of November. this is a project “Three Tall Women” Edward Albee directed by Wilson starring Caryophyllia Karabetis, Lukia Michalopoulou and Reni Pittakis. The American director did not fail to mention his acquaintance and friendship with Albi in New York and noted that for the first time he would try to shoot this particular project, emphasizing its surreal elements. “I am a visual artist,” he said, “so I express myself visually. I work formalistically, with stillness and light. I hate naturalism on stage.” At the moment, the project is at the pre-production stage, after which editing and rehearsals will follow.

Adolf Shapiro, director, theater teacher and writer who has staged Chekhov in many languages ​​and in different countries, communicated with us via the Internet from his home. Although “Platonov” (21/2/24), which he will stage, is one of the early works of the great Russian writer, “it makes it possible to study all Chekhov’s elements, since the dominant thematic motifs that occupied him in maturity are already present here,” as Shapiro pointed out. Nikos Psarras will play the title role.

Three directors will stage works by Molière, Chekhov and Albi in collaboration with Greek actors.

At the same time, three productions about the complexity and cruelty of marriage and family relations are being prepared on the alternative stage of the Omega Theater. Elena Karakulis will soon be directing Bergman’s Scenes from a Wedding, and Marilita Lampropoulou will take on the role of Shelley’s “Chancey” next spring. In between, the Greek text “The Deer” by Kostas Bostantzoglou will be presented.

New institution

Finally, the ITHP has resumed its September meeting with “Piraeus Artport III”, a relatively new institution that is a success in the city with exhibitions, performances, concerts, tributes, film screenings and events in the city.

“If earlier we were looking for our audience, now they are looking for us,” the artistic director of the theater emphasized in his speech, congratulating those who have worked hard for the changes and success of the theater in recent years. He did not fail to mention the need to change the institutional framework governing the activities of the ITP and the limitation of the state subsidy in the amount of 450,000 euros per year. Thanks to the support of the Organization for Culture, Sports and Youth of Piraeus (OPAN), this amount reaches one million euros, but for such an ambitious artistic program, there is still a need for co-producers.