The Bacchae
The Bacchae comes to the Greek theatrical scene under the direction of acclaimed creator Javor Gardev, with the special participation of the internationally renowned British band The Tiger Lillies. The band not only composed the music but also performs live on stage, simultaneously taking part in the action of the play.
The production is a major co-production of the Athens Epidaurus Festival, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre of Bulgaria, and the National Theatre of Northern Greece (NTNG). Directed by Javor Gardev and featuring a mixed Greek-Bulgarian cast, including internationally acclaimed German-Bulgarian actor Samuel Finzi and Loukia Michalopoulou, the performance will be presented on Wednesday, September 2, at 9:00 p.m., at the Ancient Theatre of Philippi, as part of the 69th Philippi Festival.
Gardev’s Bacchae poses a crucial question about society’s tolerance of destabilization. How does an event become metabolized within the collective organism—intellectually, psychologically, politically—before it turns into trauma? The play confronts the limits of social order, testing the resilience of rules and institutions. In Euripides, Dionysian frenzy is not an innocent celebration, but a challenge to the very idea of civilization, pushing to the extreme our efforts to maintain control, customs, laws, and our own self-image.
The production premiered at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus on July 11 and 12, receiving rave reviews from both audiences and critics.
Euripides’ Bacchae
With the special participation of The Tiger Lillies
A co-production of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre of Bulgaria, the Athens Epidaurus Festival, the National Theatre of Northern Greece (NTNG) and Vegas Cultural
English Translation: Robin Robertson
Modern Greek Translation (Surtitles): Theodoros Stefanopoulos
Bulgarian Translation (Surtitles): Doroteya Tabakova
Theatrical Adaptation: Ioanna Remediaki and Javor Gardev
Concept & Direction: Javor Gardev
Music & Lyrics for the Rhapsodies: Martyn Jacques
(Copyright and publishing Misery Guts Music Ltd., 2026)
Set Design: Nikola Toromanov
Costume Design: Ilenia Douladiri
Choreography: Uršula Teržan
Vocal Coaching for the Chorus: Kalin Nikolov
Lighting Design: Stella Kaltsou
Graphic Design: Teodora Simova
Dramaturgy: Ioanna Remediaki and Pavlina Doublekova
English Language Coaching: Nathan Cooper and Mark Modzelewski
Assistant Director & Surtitles Operator: Lyuba Todorova
Director’s Consultant: Valleri Robinson
Stage Manager: Bogdan Dimitrov
Second Assistant Director: Elena Kostova
Photography: Elina Giounanli
Advertising: Renegade Media
Graphic Design: Mavra Gidia – Teodora Simova
Make-up: Olga Falei
Hair: Thomas Galazoulas
Communications & Public Relations: ART WAYS – Dimitra Papadopoulou
Tour Management & Production: GINONTAI ERGA
Rhapsodes (The Tiger Lillies)
Mesaios — Martyn Jacques
Aitherios — Adrian Stout
Chthonios — Budi Butenop
Cast
Dionysus — Leonid Yovchev
Cadmus — Alexandros Mylonas
Tiresias — Samuel Finzi
Agave — Loukia Michalopoulou
Pentheus — Michael Tambakakis
Servant — Ivan Nikolov
First Messenger — Ivan Yurukov
Second Messenger — Martin Dimitrov
Chorus of Bacchae
Nefeli Anthopoulou, Alexandra Gaidatzi, Xenia Grammatikou, Efthymia Danilidou, Zoe Efthymiou, Eleni Thymiopoulou, Angeliki Kintoni, Polyxeni Spyropoulou, Danae Stamatopoulou, Nadya Keranova, Kremena Slavcheva, Alexandra Svilenova
Video: https://youtu.be/U4fzuu4mOfU
Duration: 120 minutes
The performance will be presented in English, with Greek surtitles.
