National Theatre of Greece — Experimental Stage
Apo Michanis Theatre — Main Stage
First performance: November 11, 2005
Last performance: January 8, 2006
“A Dream Play is the work that I love the most, the child of my greatest pain.”
Behind this myth (the Dream) lies the mystical perception that life is a noose tied around one’s neck, because it was born from the Fall. Pure ideas have been debased into a union with reproducible matter. Evil arises from this unholy incarnation. Born from the union of ideas and matter, human beings suffer, seek redemption, and desire to rid themselves of wounded and sick flesh. Pain purifies them. […] The most important element of the Dream is, of course, not its content but its very form. […] Here is what Strindberg himself says about this form: “In this dream piece, which is itself related to a previous piece, To Damascus, the author attempted to imitate the incongruous yet seemingly logical structure of the dream. Anything can happen, everything is possible and credible. Time and space cease to exist. Starting from an insignificant real-life basis, the author sets his imagination free, weaving together disparate places and actions, a blend of memories, personal experiences, fantasies, absurdities, and improvisations.” […] In another text, speaking about the Dream Play, Strindberg says: “I revealed the relative nonexistence of life.” […] Thus, in the midst of an era dominated by solid, almost inflexible dramatic composition, he became the prophet of a freedom that leads straight to the theatre of our time. […]
Angelos Terzakis, from the 1963 performance programme, reprinted for the 2005 performance.
Translated by: Yorgos Depastas
Directed by: Stathis Livathinos
Set Design: Alekos Levidis
Costume Design: Alekos Levidis
Composer: Thodoris Abazis
Choreographer: Cecil Mikroutsikou
Movement Supervisor: Cecil Mikroutsikou
Lighting Design: Filippos Koutsaftis
Assistant Director: Eleni Koutsilaiou
Sound Engineer: Kostas Bokos
Cast (in alphabetical order):
The Officer: Vassilis Andreou
The Glazier – Dancer – Man – Naval Officer – Teacher: Stathis Grapsas
The Lawyer – Dean: Dimitris Imellos
The Officer – The Master of Quarantine – Blind Man – Dean: Nikos Kardonis
The Mother – Singer – Don Juan’s Companion – Édith’s Mother – Child: Despina Kourti
Blue Flower – Dancer – Woman – Alice: Kanellina Menouti
Father – Billposter – Don Juan – Newlywed – Dean: Stratis Panourios
Indra’s Voice – Poet: Dimitris Papanikolaou
The Dancer – Édith: Nadia Papatheodorou
Indra – Singer – Master of Quarantine – Dean: Nikos Pyrokakos
Portress – Prompter – Lady on the Shore of Shame – Maid: Maria Savvidou
Daughter of Indra (Agnes): Natalia Stylianou
Lena – Dancer – Maid: Sofianna Theofanous
Officer – Mr. Foie Gras – Dean: Aris Troupakis
Christine – Maid – Newlywed: Sophia Tsiniari