For Greek artist Elli Papakonstantinou, musical theatre is a territory without borders, a ground for experimentation with word, text, video, live music and dance in search for a new performative language. The director – already hosted by Romaeuropa with Traces of Antigones – seeks to place the myth, the Greek tragedy, and the roots of Western culture at the basis of this language. This is how her theatre projects itself towards the future: by tracing a connection between the ancestral domain of the human soul and sensitivity to the greater political and social themes of our present times. The Bacchae begins in a futuristic world. A meteorite called Dionysus collides with the earth, but instead of destroying it, leads everyone to liberation and the fulfillment of their desires. A giant seismograph at the centre of the stage monitors the vibrations of the earth and of the dancers and activates an elaborate sound environment in real time, which is accompanied by Aria Lester’s original compositions. The result is a visual concert in which sources, signs and aesthetics combine to invite the viewer on a journey through the “free path of the heart”.

Credits

Concept / Art Direction Elli Papakonstantinou

Text: Elli Papakonstantinou, Chloe Tzia Kolyri, Kakia Goudeli

Choreography: SINE QUA NON ART – Christophe Béranger & Jonathan Pranlas Descours

Original Songs & Music Composition: Ariah Lester

Electroacoustic Compositions / Interactive Sound Design Istallation: Lambros Pigounis

Set Design: Maria Panourgia

Video Art / Live Video Design: Pantelis Makkas

Costume Design: Ioanna Tsami

Light Design: Marietta Pavlaki

Stage Vibration Sensor & Seismograph design: Giannis Kranidiotis

Assistant to the Director A: Spiros Sourvinos

Research Consultant: Louisa Arkoumanea

Collaboration on Dramaturgy: Ariah Lester, Haris Kalaitzidis

Photography: Alex Kat

Trailer: Sideris Nanoudis

Technical Coordination: Lambros Pigounis

Tour & Development Managment: Laurent Langlois

ODC Office Direction: Gina Zorba

Assistant to the Director B: Christianna Toka, Katerina Savvoglou

Assistant to the Director C: Katerina Hristaki

Assistant to the Set Designer: Sofia Theodoraki

Assistant to the Video Artist: Anthi Paraskeva-Veloudogianni

Performers: Ariah Lester, Georgios Iatrou, Hara Kotsali, Lito Messini, Vasilis Boutsikos, Aris Papadopoulos

Production Credits

Produced by

ODC Ensemble / Elli Papakonstantinou (elli.site)

In co-production with

La Filature, Scène Nationale Mulhouse (FR), Holland Festival (NL), Festival de Marseille (FR), Athens Epidaurus Festival (GR), Festival La Strada Graz (AT), Romaeuropa Festival (IT), Teatro Nazionale di Genova (IT)

Residency

Espace des Arts, Scène Nationale Chalon-Sur-Saône (FR)

Supported by

HELLENIC REPUBLIC

Ministry of Culture and Sports