Greek Theatre Triumphs in China with Euripides Production

More than 2,500 people attended performances of Euripides’ Hippolytus at the Wuzhen Theatre Festival near Shanghai, where the Greek production brought this year’s festival to a close.

The audience responded with enthusiastic, prolonged applause and loud cheers for the cast and creative team, creating an emotional atmosphere, according to an official announcement.

The production represents a co-production between the National Theatre of Greece and George Lykiardopoulos’ Likofos Cultural Organisation. The Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) and the Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO) supported its international journey.

Wuzhen Theatre Festival

Founded in 2013 by Stan Lai, Chen Xianghong, Meng Jinghui and Huang Lei, the Wuzhen Theatre Festival takes place every October and attracts thousands of spectators and visitors.

The festival has hosted Chinese theatre companies alongside some of the most prominent names in international theatre, including Thomas Ostermeier, Wajdi Mouawad and Emma Dante.

The programme brings together theatre companies from around the world while showcasing emerging Chinese artists through its competition section.

Visitors can also enjoy free performances and events throughout the city, discussions with leading international theatre-makers, workshops and numerous cultural exchange activities.

Katerina Evangelatou’s Production

Euripides’ tragedy moved Chinese audiences through the voices and physical performances of its actors, presenting a distinctive contemporary interpretation of ancient Greek drama.

The production also represented a significant act of cultural diplomacy, carrying powerful symbolic importance through the international presentation of Greece’s theatrical heritage.

According to the announcement, the production will continue its international tour in 2027.

Creative Team and Cast

Kostas Topouzis translated the play, while Katerina Evangelatou undertook the dramaturgical adaptation and direction. Eva Manidaki designed the sets, and Alexandros-Drakos Ktistakis composed and arranged the music.

The cast, listed alphabetically, includes Kora Karvouni as Phaedra, Christina Maxouri as the Nurse, Lefteris Polychronis as the Messenger, Elena Topalidou as Aphrodite/Artemis, Giannis Tsourtekis as Theseus and Orestis Chalkias as Hippolytus.

The women’s chorus features Daphne Kiourtsoglou, Anastasia-Rafaela Konidi, Amalia Ninou and Melina Polyzoni.

The hunters’ chorus comprises Georgios Vasilopoulos, Konstantinos Georgalis, Nikos Gonidis, Angelos Damianos, Christos Diamantoudis, Iraklis Kostakis, Alexandros Piechowiak and Nikolas Hatzivasiliadis.

(Source: AMNA)

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