A Paphos secondary school has taken joint first prize at the inaugural European Student Ancient Theatre Competition, beating 21 schools from across the Greek diaspora with a performance of Aristophanes’ Birds.
The Nicolaideio Gymnasium of Paphos performed at the ancient Roman theatre of Avella in Campania, Italy, where the competition was held. The event was organised by ELEKPRO (Hellenic Educational Programmes), a non-profit, under a Greek-Italian partnership focused on ancient Greek theatre and its connections to contemporary social issues.
The first prize was shared with the Mousi School of Kastoria, whose entry involved the construction of a functional replica of an ancient Greek/Roman theatre. Both schools were awarded equally.
The production was directed by philologist Anastasia Christodoulou, who also wrote the scenario and designed the set. A live orchestra accompanied the performance.
Headmistress Daniella Pisteni-Mougiannou said the school’s participation was made possible with support from the Parents’ Association, the Municipality of Paphos, and other sponsors.
Production Contributors
Production Team
Scenario – Direction – Teaching:
Anastasia Christodoulou, Philologist
Set Design:
Anastasia Christodoulou, Philologist
Souzan Varkas Stefanou, Art Teacher
Choreography:
Anastasia Christodoulou, Philologist / Dimitra Sotiria
Masks – Poster Design:
Souzan Varkas Stefanou, Art Teacher
Costumes – Make-up:
Christa Charalambous, Physical Education Teacher
Antoniou Elena, Evangelou Christina, Ioannou Elpida, Manoli Manolia,
Stavropoulou Chrysovalantou
Music Supervision:
Dr. Kalliotheni Neokleous, Music Teacher
Live Orchestra / Music Ensemble
Piano: Arousiotis Giannis
Percussion: Gennadi Foniki
Clarinet: Karfi Giorgo
Bouzouki: Chatzichristofi Stefanos
Violin: Kouloglou Giorgo
Baglama: Kalotsou Thalassia
Vocals: Lamprianou Anastasia and Olympiou Olia
Cello: Staviou Ifigeneia
Trumpet: Panayi Anastasos
Cast (in order of appearance)
Peisetairos: Athanasiou Semeli
Euelpides: Kyriakou Danai
Servant (Enthia): Asprou Xanthoula
Servant (Manodorus – Manis): Ioannou Eleni
Servant of Tereus: Tryfonos Eleonoura
Tereus: Kondylis Stylianos
Chorus (Birds)
Faisinos Flaventos, Dimitra Sotiria, Karekla Anastasia, Liasidi Niki, Nikolaou Paraskevi, Olympiou Savvina, Charalambous Elisabet, Anastasiadou Maroulia, Georgiou Stella, Tryfonos Eleonoura, Christofi Andriana, Lamprianou Anastasia, Markou Antrea Agapi, Olympiou Olia
Priest: Aristeidou Maria
Oracle Seller: Christoforou Panayiota
Meton: Avditi Nepheli
Inspector: Eleftheriou Irini
Decree Seller: Ouraniou Loukia
Messenger: Kouzaleidis Theodoros
Iris: Katsounouri Ioanna
Herald: Kouttaris Xenios
Cinesias: Papanearchou Theodora
Prometheus: Kouzaleidis Theodoros
