OEDIPUS COLONUS Epidaurus Festival Athens

OEDIPUS AT COLONUS by Sophocles – Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus

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Where: Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
When: 17 & 18 August 2018
Why Go: See Sophocles’ last tragedy

This presentation of Oedipus at Colonus forms part of the Athens and Epidaurus festival programme for 2018. As Sophocles’ final tragedy, this play is at once a meditation on human fate and a tribute to his favourite city, Athens.

A tragedy about physical and metaphysical borders, about the mystery of human freedom in the face of gods’ omnipotence, about responsibility, about old age and about the political rule of the polis. Oedipus at Colonus is an intimate poem and a spiritual journey.

Oedipus Colonus Theatre of Epidaurus Athens Festival

The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus. Photo: Courtesy of Athens Festival/Evi Fylaktou

Burdened by horrific crimes and haunted by his city Thebes, the elderly Oedipus arrives at Colonus, almost as if he were a migrant, choosing it as his final resting place. Oedipus has been sentenced by the gods and led by them to Colonus, the place of his redemption.

From Syracuse to Epidaurus, this ancient Greek tragedy will carry Oedipus all the way to the sacred forest of the Furies, to his final apotheosis.

Why Athens Tip: The performance will be performed in Greek with English subtitles.

Oedipus Colonus Epidaurus Athens Ticket Button

GETTING TO THE PERFORMANCE

Epidaurus theatre is located at Palea Epidaurus in the region of Argolis. It is approximately a two hour drive from Athens. Why Athens offers transfers to the theatre and back to the centre of Athens exclusively on performance nights (June – August 2018) for 55 euros per person return. BOOK YOUR TRANSFER HERE and enjoy an ancient Greek play under the stars in Epidaurus. LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE.

Oedipus Colonus Epidaurus Festival Transfer Why Athens BW

PERFORMANCES AT EPIDAURUS 2018

The Epidaurus programme for 2018 falls under the overarching theme of “Polis and the Citizen.” It is closely connected to contemporary life in Greece and the Greek crisis. The tragedy genre easily explores the concept of the crisis through the tension between individuals and society. The festival is particularly interested in approaching tragedy as a “study of civic crisis.”

The ancient theatre of Epidaurus is regarded as the best preserved ancient theatres in Greece and famous for its perfect acoustics. Constructed in the late 4th century BC, it has a capacity of more than 12,000 spectators.

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