Theater Night Out 6 : Misanthrope at Sychrono Theater

I had high expectations from this one and it delivered.

Inside the Frame. image source

It’s a modern adaptation of the classic Moliere play and it is presented at Sychrono ( modern ) Theater here in Athens.

The Misanthrope ( greek word which means he who hates humans ) or the Cantankerous Lover is a 17th-century comedy of manners in verse written by Molière. It was first performed on 4 June 1666 at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal, Paris by the King's Players. The play satirizes the hypocrisies of French aristocratic society, but it also engages a more serious tone when pointing out the flaws which all humans possess. The play, though not a commercial success in its time, survives as Molière's best known work today.

The story is about Alceste’s love for Célimène. Alceste is the protagonist and "misanthrope" of the title. He is quick to criticize the flaws of everyone around him, including himself. He cannot help but love Célimène though he loathes her behaviour. Célimène is a young woman who is courted by Alceste, Oronte, Acaste, and Clitandre. She is playful and flirtatious, and likes to point out the flaws of everyone she meets behind their backs. Being extraordinary beautiful Célimène has many “fans” including Oronte a wannabe poet. Who will win Célimène’s heart ? Not gonna tell you. Go and watch the play.

Alceste’s and Célimène. image source

The play is in verse and I have to congratulate the translator Yagos Andreadis for his excellent work. It is not easy to translate something that was written three centuries ago and moreover it is a poet. His rhymes were clever and witty and contributed the whole atmosphere.

Excellent was the direction of Ioli Andreadi. We see the characters in three versions.

Version one: inside a huge painting frame. There we see what the characters think but without talking, only through movement and expression.

Inside the frame. image source

Version two: outside the frame. This is where the action takes place and characters interact with each other.

The real world. image source

Version three: through a microphone. A microphone lies in the center of the stage and let the characters reveal their real thoughts and feelings without the social constrains of the world.

The microphone. image source

The performances of the actors were outstanding especially Miltiadis Fiorentzis ( Alceste ) and Vasiliki Troufakou ( Célimène ). And the rest of the cast was great. Thymios Koukios ( Oronte ), Danai Epithymiadi ( Éliante ) , Orestis Karydas ( Phillinte ) and Melina Theocharidou ( Arsinoé ).

The cast. image source

That was from me. What a fun way to spend Saturday night.

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Would you recommend it? – YES
Would you see it again? – YES

And until the next Theatre Night Out …
Be Healthy, Smile and Steem.