Modern Greek theatre
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Modern Greek theatre refers to the theatrical production and theatrical plays written in the
Modern Greek language Modern Greek (, , or , ''Kiní Neoellinikí Glóssa''), generally referred to by speakers simply as Greek (, ), refers collectively to the dialects of the Greek language spoken in the modern era, including the official standardized form of the ...
, from the post-Byzantine times until today.


Venetian Crete

The renaissance which led to the modern Greek theatre took place in the
Venetian Crete The Realm or Kingdom of Candia ( Venetian: ''Regno de Càndia'') or Duchy of Candia (Venetian: ''Dogado de Càndia'' ) was the official name of Crete during the island's period as an overseas colony of the Republic of Venice, from the initial V ...
. Significal dramatists include
Georgios Chortatzis Georgios Chortatzis or Chortatsis ( el, Γεώργιος Χορτάτζης/Χορτάτσης; c. 1545 – c. 1610) was a Greek dramatist in Cretan verse. He was, along with Vitsentzos Kornaros, one of the main representatives of a school of lite ...
,
Vitsentzos Kornaros Vitsentzos or Vikentios Kornaros ( el, Βιτσέντζος or ) or Vincenzo Cornaro (March 29, 1553 – 1613/1614) was a Cretan poet, who wrote the romantic epic poem '' Erotokritos''. He wrote in vernacular Cretan dialect ( Cretan Greek), and w ...
, and other Cretan writers. ''
Erotokritos ''Erotokritos'' ( el, Ἐρωτόκριτος) is a romance composed by Vikentios Kornaros in early 17th century Crete. It consists of 10,012 fifteen-syllable rhymed verses, the last twelve of which refer to the poet himself. It is written in t ...
'' is undoubtedly the masterpiece of this early period of modern Greek literature, and represents one of its supreme achievements. It is a verse
romance Romance (from Vulgar Latin , "in the Roman language", i.e., "Latin") may refer to: Common meanings * Romance (love), emotional attraction towards another person and the courtship behaviors undertaken to express the feelings * Romance languages, ...
written around 1600 by
Vitsentzos Kornaros Vitsentzos or Vikentios Kornaros ( el, Βιτσέντζος or ) or Vincenzo Cornaro (March 29, 1553 – 1613/1614) was a Cretan poet, who wrote the romantic epic poem '' Erotokritos''. He wrote in vernacular Cretan dialect ( Cretan Greek), and w ...
(1553–1613). The other major representative of the Cretan literature and theatre was
Georgios Chortatzis Georgios Chortatzis or Chortatsis ( el, Γεώργιος Χορτάτζης/Χορτάτσης; c. 1545 – c. 1610) was a Greek dramatist in Cretan verse. He was, along with Vitsentzos Kornaros, one of the main representatives of a school of lite ...
and his most notable work was ''
Erofili ''Erofili'', also spelled as ''Erophile'' ( el, Ερωφίλη), is the most famous and often performed tragedy of the Cretan theater. It was written around 1600 in Rethymno in Crete (then a Venetian colony) by Georgios Chortatzis and first publi ...
'', which was characterized by
Kostis Palamas Kostis Palamas ( el, Κωστής Παλαμάς; – 27 February 1943) was a Greek poet who wrote the words to the Olympic Hymn. He was a central figure of the Greek literary generation of the 1880s and one of the cofounders of the so-called Ne ...
as the first work of modern Greek theatre. Other notable plays include ''The Sacrifice of Abraham'' by Kornaros, ''Panoria'' and ''Katsourbos'' by Chortatzis, ''Fortounatos'' by Markos Antonios Foskolos, '' King Rodolinos'' by Andreas Troilos, ''Stathis (comedy)'' and ''Voskopoula'' by unknown artists. During this period, there was production of different theatrical genres, such as
tragedies Tragedy (from the grc-gre, τραγῳδία, ''tragōidia'', ''tragōidia'') is a genre of drama based on human suffering and, mainly, the terrible or sorrowful events that befall a main character. Traditionally, the intention of tragedy ...
,
comedies Comedy is a genre of fiction that consists of discourses or works intended to be humorous or amusing by inducing laughter, especially in theatre, film, stand-up comedy, television, radio, books, or any other entertainment medium. The term origin ...
, pastoral and religious plays.


Heptanesean theatre

After the occupation of
Crete Crete ( el, Κρήτη, translit=, Modern: , Ancient: ) is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, ...
by the
Ottoman empire The Ottoman Empire, * ; is an archaic version. The definite article forms and were synonymous * and el, Оθωμανική Αυτοκρατορία, Othōmanikē Avtokratoria, label=none * info page on book at Martin Luther University) ...
, in late 17th century, the intellectual center of the Greeks, such as the theatrical, was transferred in the Ionian islands. The Heptanesean theatre was heavily influenced by the
Italian Renaissance The Italian Renaissance ( it, Rinascimento ) was a period in Italian history covering the 15th and 16th centuries. The period is known for the initial development of the broader Renaissance culture that spread across Europe and marked the trans ...
. Notable playwrights include Petros Katsaitis, Savoyas Rousmelis and Dimitrios Gouzelis. One of the most notable works was ''Vasilikos'' (1830) by Antonios Matesis.


Greek Enlightenment and Independence

During the pro-revolution years, notable theatrical works include the ''Achilleus or Death of Patroclus'' (1805) by
Athanasios Christopoulos Athanasios Christopoulos ( el, Αθανάσιος Χριστόπουλος; 2 May 177219 January 1847) was a celebrated Greek poet, playwright, a distinguished scholar and jurist. He has been proclaimed a champion of the modern Greek demotic and th ...
, ''Timoleon'' (1818) by Ioannis Zambelios, while ''Korakistika'' (1812) by Iakovakis Rizos Neroulos was a lampoon against the Greek intellectual
Adamantios Korais Adamantios Korais or Koraïs ( el, Ἀδαμάντιος Κοραῆς ; la, Adamantius Coraes; french: Adamance Coray; 27 April 17486 April 1833) was a Greek scholar credited with laying the foundations of modern Greek literature and a majo ...
and his linguistic views (
Katharevousa Katharevousa ( el, Καθαρεύουσα, , literally "purifying anguage) is a conservative form of the Modern Greek language conceived in the late 18th century as both a literary language and a compromise between Ancient Greek and the contempor ...
). After the independence, the theatrical scene of the new
Greek Kingdom The Kingdom of Greece ( grc, label=Greek, Βασίλειον τῆς Ἑλλάδος ) was established in 1832 and was the successor state to the First Hellenic Republic. It was internationally recognised by the Treaty of Constantinople, where ...
was dominated by writers who were closer to the
First Athenian School The term First Athenian School ( el, Α΄ Αθηναϊκή Σχολή) denotes the literary production in Athens between 1830 and 1880. After Greek Independence, the basic intellectual centres of the Greek world were the Ionian Islands (with ...
(or Phanariotic), such as
Alexandros Rizos Rangavis Alexandros Rizos Rangavis or Alexander Rizos Rakgabis" ( el, Ἀλέξανδρος Ῥίζος Ῥαγκαβής; french: Alexandre Rizos Rangabé; 27 December 180928 June 1892), was a Greek man of letters, poet and statesman. Early life He was ...
,
Alexandros Soutsos Alexandros Soutsos ( el, Ἀλέξανδρος Σοῦτσος) (1803–1863) was a Greek poet from a prominent Phanariote family.Soutzos family He founded the Greek Romantic school of poetry. Soutsos was born in Istanbul in 1803 from Chian p ...
and
Panagiotis Soutsos Panagiotis Soutsos ( el, Παναγιώτης Σοῦτσος; 1806 – 25 October 1868), was a Greek poet, novelist and journalist born in Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey). He was the brother of the satirist Alexandros Soutsos and cousin ...
. These writers were using mainly a conservative and archaic form of the Greek language, known as
katharevousa Katharevousa ( el, Καθαρεύουσα, , literally "purifying anguage) is a conservative form of the Modern Greek language conceived in the late 18th century as both a literary language and a compromise between Ancient Greek and the contempor ...
. A notable exception is the comedy ''Babylonia'' (1836), by Dimitris Vyzantios, a satyra of the different Greek idiomas in simple language. Until the end of the 19th century, the romantic tragedy will dominate, such as the ''Maria Doxapatri'' (1853) and ''Fausta'' (1893) by Dimitrios Vernardakis. The Royal Theatre was founded in 1880 in
Athens Athens ( ; el, Αθήνα, Athína ; grc, Ἀθῆναι, Athênai (pl.) ) is both the capital and largest city of Greece. With a population close to four million, it is also the seventh largest city in the European Union. Athens dominates ...
. Since the 1880s new genres started to be popular.
Revues A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance, and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own duri ...
,
operettas Operetta is a form of theatre and a genre of light opera. It includes spoken dialogue, songs, and dances. It is lighter than opera in terms of its music, orchestral size, length of the work, and at face value, subject matter. Apart from its s ...
and ''komidylio'' (κωμειδύλλιο) (musical comedy), with works like ''I tychi tis Maroulas'' (1889), ''O agapitikos tis voskopoulas'' (1891) by Dimitrios Koromilas and ''Golfo'' (1893) by Spyros Peresiadis (later transferred in cinema). With the apprearence of the
New Athenian School The term New Athenian School ( el, Νέα Αθηναϊκή Σχολή), also known as the 1880s Generation (Γενιά του 1880) or the Palamian School (Παλαμική Σχολή) after its leading member Kostis Palamas, denotes the litera ...
(or Palamian), in the late 19th century, and the central figure of
Kostis Palamas Kostis Palamas ( el, Κωστής Παλαμάς; – 27 February 1943) was a Greek poet who wrote the words to the Olympic Hymn. He was a central figure of the Greek literary generation of the 1880s and one of the cofounders of the so-called Ne ...
, the use of
Demotic Greek Demotic Greek or Dimotiki ( el, Δημοτική Γλώσσα, , , ) is the standard spoken language of Greece in modern times and, since the resolution of the Greek language question in 1976, the official language of Greece. "Demotic Greek" (w ...
became more acceptable. However, in 1903, a translation by the Royal Theatre of
Aeschylus Aeschylus (, ; grc-gre, Αἰσχύλος ; c. 525/524 – c. 456/455 BC) was an ancient Greek tragedian, and is often described as the father of tragedy. Academic knowledge of the genre begins with his work, and understanding of earlier Greek ...
' ''
Oresteia The ''Oresteia'' ( grc, Ὀρέστεια) is a trilogy of Greek tragedies written by Aeschylus in the 5th century BCE, concerning the murder of Agamemnon by Clytemnestra, the murder of Clytemnestra by Orestes, the trial of Orestes, the end of th ...
'' in common Greek language (and not in Katharevousa) provoked protests by conservatives students who were in favour of Katharevousa. Playwrights and dramatists of the new era included
Gregorios Xenopoulos Gregorios Xenopoulos ( el, Γρηγόριος Ξενόπουλος; December 9, 1867 – 14 January 1951) was a novelist, journalist and playwright from Zakynthos. He was lead editor in the magazine ''The Education of Children'' (Η Διάπλασ ...
(probably the most important figure),
Angelos Sikelianos Angelos Sikelianos ( el, Άγγελος Σικελιανός; 28 March 1884 – 19 June 1951) was a Greek lyric poet and playwright. His themes include Greek history, religious symbolism as well as universal harmony in poems such as ''The Moonstru ...
,
Nikos Kazantzakis Nikos Kazantzakis ( el, ; 2 March ( OS 18 February) 188326 October 1957) was a Greek writer. Widely considered a giant of modern Greek literature, he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in nine different years. Kazantzakis's no ...
,
Pantelis Horn Pantelis Horn ( gr, Παντελής Χορν; 1 January 1881–1 November 1941) was a Greek naval officer and playwright, one of the few Greek writers of the early 20th century who devoted themselves solely to theatre. He produced works in the ...
,
Yórgos Theotokás Yiorgos Theotokas ( el, Γιώργος Θεοτοκάς), formally Georgios Theotokas (Γεώργιος Θεοτοκάς; 27 August 1905 – 30 October 1966), was a Greek novelist. Biography He was born in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) ...
,
Giannis Skarimpas Giannis Skarimpas, Giannis Skarimbas or Yiannis Skarimbas ( el, Γιάννης Σκαρίμπας; September 28, 1893 – January 21, 1984), was a Greek writer, dramatist, and poet. Biography He was born in Agia Efthymia near Amfissa (now part of ...
, Vasilis Rotas,
Angelos Terzakis Angelos Terzakis ( el, Άγγελος Τερζάκης; 16 February 1907 – 3 August 1979) was a Greek writer of the "Generation of the '30s". He wrote short stories, novels and plays. Life He was born in Nafplion in 1907 and lived there until 19 ...
and others. Notable actors
Aimilios Veakis Aimilios Veakis ( el, Αιμίλιος Βεάκης; December 13, 1884 – June 29, 1951) was a Greek actor. An active member of the National Liberation Front during the Axis occupation of Greece, he was persecuted for his leftist beliefs durin ...
,
Marika Kotopouli Marika Kotopouli ( el, Μαρίκα Κοτοπούλη; 3 May 1887 – 11 September 1954) was a Greek stage actress during the first half of the 20th century. Biography Kotopouli was born on 3 May 1887 in Athens to actor parents, Dimitrios Kot ...
and Cybele Andrianou. The Royal Theatre was re-founded in 1932 as ''National Theatre''. The first plays staged were the
Aeschylus Aeschylus (, ; grc-gre, Αἰσχύλος ; c. 525/524 – c. 456/455 BC) was an ancient Greek tragedian, and is often described as the father of tragedy. Academic knowledge of the genre begins with his work, and understanding of earlier Greek ...
' ''Agamemnon'' and
Gregorios Xenopoulos Gregorios Xenopoulos ( el, Γρηγόριος Ξενόπουλος; December 9, 1867 – 14 January 1951) was a novelist, journalist and playwright from Zakynthos. He was lead editor in the magazine ''The Education of Children'' (Η Διάπλασ ...
' comedy ''O theios Oneiros''. The first actor team included
Katina Paxinou Katina Paxinou ( gr, Κατίνα Παξινού; 17 December 1900– 22 February 1973) was a Greek film and stage actress. She started her stage career in Greece in 1928 and was one of the founding members of the National Theatre of Greece in ...
,
Aimilios Veakis Aimilios Veakis ( el, Αιμίλιος Βεάκης; December 13, 1884 – June 29, 1951) was a Greek actor. An active member of the National Liberation Front during the Axis occupation of Greece, he was persecuted for his leftist beliefs durin ...
,
Eleni Papadaki Eleni Papadaki (Greek: Ελένη Παπαδάκη, 4 November 1903 – 22 December 1944) was a celebrated Greek stage actress who was murdered during the Dekemvriana events, accused for political reasons by the communists, of having collaborate ...
and
Alexis Minotis Alexis Minotis (; born Alexandros Minotakis ( el, Αλέξανδρος Μινωτάκης); 8 August 1900 – 11 November 1990) was a Greek actor and director. He first appeared on stage in his native Crete as Chorus Leader and later as Messeng ...
. First theatrical director was placed
Fotos Politis German educated Greek stage director Fotos Politis (Greek: Φώτος Πολίτης), 1890–1934, was one of the most prominent figures in the revival of the ancient Greek tragedies in the 20th century. A literary and theater reviewer and playw ...
and from 1934
Dimitris Rontiris Dimitris Rontiris ( el, Δημήτρης Ροντήρης; 1899 – December 20, 1981) was a Greek actor and director. Biography Rontiris was born in Piraeus. He began his education at a military school and left to study law at the University o ...
.


After WWII

After the war, new playwrights appeared, like
Dimitris Psathas Dimitris Psathas ( el, Δημήτρης Ψαθάς; 1907 – 13 November 1979) was a modern Greek satirist and playwright. He was born in Trabzon of Pontos, then part of the Ottoman Empire, in 1907. He went to Athens in 1923 and finished his s ...
,
Nikos Tsiforos Nikos Tsiforos ( el, Νίκος Τσιφόρος; 27 August 1912 – 6 August 1970) was a Greek humorist, screenwriter, and film director. He had more than 60 film scripts to his credit between 1948 and 1970. He further directed 17 films be ...
. Their work in many cases was transferred in the cinema. For example, most of the plays of
Sakellarios A ''sakellarios'' ( el, σακελλάριος) or ''sacellarius'' is the title of an official entrusted with administrative and financial duties (cf. ''sakellē'' or ''sakellion'', "purse, treasury") in a government or institution. The title was ...
/Giannakopoulos (around 140), were transferred also in the cinema. Significant theatrical actors appeared also in the movies of the
Greek cinema The cinema of Greece has a long and rich history. Though hampered at times by war or political instability, the Greek film industry dominates the domestic market and has experienced international success. Characteristics of Greek cinema include ...
(which had its "Golden Age"), like
Dimitris Horn Dimitris Horn () (9 March 1921 – 16 January 1998) was a Greek theatrical and film performer of modern times. Biography Horn was born in Athens in 1921, the son of playwright Pantelis Horn (himself descended from an Austrian father and Greek mot ...
,
Manos Katrakis Emmanuel "Manos" Katrakis ( el, Εμμανουήλ (Μάνος) Κατράκης; 14 August 1908 – 3 September 1984) was a Greek actor of theater and film.Orestis Makris Orestis Makris ( el, Ορέστης Μακρής; 30 September 1898 – 29 January 1975) was a Greek actor and tenor. Biography Makris graduated from the Athens Conservatoire and first entered the scene as a tenor in the troupe of Rosalia Nika ...
,
Melina Mercouri Maria Amalia "Melina" Mercouri (, 18 October 1920 – 6 March 1994) was a Greek actress, singer, activist, and politician. She came from a political family that was prominent over multiple generations. She received an Academy Award nomination a ...
and more.
Iakovos Kambanellis Iakovos Kambanellis (Greek: Ιάκωβος Καμπανέλλης; 2 December 1921 – 29 March 2011) was a Greek poet, playwright, screenwriter, lyricist, and novelist. Biography Born 2 December 1921 in Hora on the island of Naxos, the sixth of ...
was probably the most significant post-war Greek playwright, while
Karolos Koun Karolos Koun ( el, Κάρολος Κουν; September 13, 1908 in Bursa – February 14, 1987 in Athens) was a prominent Greek theater director, widely known for his lively staging of ancient Greek plays. Biography Koun was born in Bursa, Ottoman ...
was also a notable director, widely known for his lively staging of ancient Greek plays.


See also

*
Athens Festival Athens – Epidaurus Festival is an annual arts festival that takes place in Athens and Epidaurus, from May to October. It is one of the most famous festivals in Greece. The festival includes musical, theatrical and other cultural events. Histor ...


References

* Γραμματάς Θ. 1987, «Η παρουσία της commedia dell’arte στο επτανησιακό θέατρο του ΙΗ’ αιώνα» στο ''Νεοελληνικό θέατρο Ιστορία-Δραματουργία'', Κουλτούρα, Αθήνα. * R. Beaton, ''An Introduction to Modern Greek Literature'', Oxford University Press, 1999. * D. Holton, ''Μελέτες για τον Ερωτόκριτο και άλλα νεοελληνικά κείμενα'' - ''Studies on Erotokritos and other Modern Greek texts'', ed. Kastaniotis, Athens 2000. * M. Vitti, ''Ιστορία της Νεοελληνικής Λογοτεχνίας'' 'History of Modern Greek Literature'' ed. Οδυσσέας, Athens, 2003. {{Europe topic, Theatre of, GR=Modern Greek theatre Theatre in Greece Greek culture Modern Greek literature