A modern approach to the classic tragedy of Prometheus Bound.

Α classic approach to modern dance.

As part of ALL OF GREECE ONE CULTURE – Program 2021 – of the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports.

And through the darkness, light emerged. A gift or a curse? Decision or crash?

Prometheus knows what his fate is and yet chooses, in a clear act of self-sacrifice and bravery, as the ultimate proof of love, to challenge the orders of the almighty Zeus’ authority. Despite his titanic immortality, he offends the worldly order by taking the side of mortals and is severely punished for it. He, however, remains true to his beliefs and guided by his ethos, accepts his endless exile. But what is the end?

In his first full-scale dance production, Stefanos Dimoulas chooses the challenge of the shocking tragedy of Aeschylus, and around it composes the universe of Titan Prometheus. In two unique performances within the as part of ALL OF GREECE ONE CULTURE – Program 2021 – of the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports, we have the opportunity to watch the tests that the all-time-classic tragedy projects to the modern society, at Ancient Theater of Demetrias, just a few kilometers from the center of the city of Volos.

The characters are challenged by the authorities and social stereotypes and discover their strengths in dance worlds. Using one of the greatest tragedies of all time as a starting point, the characters retrieve memories and experiences, balancing between the boundaries between reality and mythology.

With intense aesthetic and emotional fluctuations, atmospheric and haunting images, the viewer is transported into a dark, mythical story. The production deals with contemporary themes with bold stage presentation and strong questions.

Are the brave ones justified eventually? Is it worth sacrificing yourself for the common good? Is there always hope for the best? Does the protagonist need to fulfill certain social “musts, excel in strength, grace, beauty, intelligence, or always be attracted to the opposite sex?

Stefanos Dimoulas choreographs with the Aeschylian tragedy as his starting point following a neoclassical technique, the combination of classical ballet with modern dance and physical theater elements. Free, harmonious movements, clean body lines and dynamic contrasts between speed and dramatic immobility make up the sensational performance of Titan Prometheus.

For the music of the performance, Ermis Geragidis follows an unconventional, cinematic approach, melodically connecting the scenes with dark compositions that are, however, illuminated by moments of optimism, in harmony with the Aeschylian tragedy. Unfolding a crescendo for strings, piano and other orchestral instruments, all the sounds come together with electronic processing to form the desired immersive atmosphere.

The sets and costumes of the show combine the grandeur of opera and the abstraction of minimalism. Ilenia Douladiri draws inspiration from Dimoulas’ approach to Titan Prometheus and visualises the universe of the mythical titan, wrapped in the agony, gloom and muscular tension of the performance, composing poetic images with strong visual aesthetics, elegance and realism.

The Ancient Theater of Demetrias, a symbol of the region’s cultural heritage that flourished in the Hellenistic period, will transport us to the otherworldly place of Prometheus’ punishment, to a modern approach to classical tragedy, to a classical approach to modern dance.

A mystagogic experience that, through the psychological transitions, the intense emotions, the cruel punishment of the Titan, ends up in the catharsis. An riveting emotion in an imposing dance performance where the black pointe shoes follow the electrified melodies and discover the unknown limits of self-sacrifice and conflict with power.