Directed by Alexander Raptotasios Cast: Yorgos Karamihos
Acclaimed Greek actor Yorgos Karamihos performs Simon Stephens’ “VANYA” with resounding success.
Under the direction of Alexander Raptotasios, Yorgos Karamihos takes on “VANYA”, written by multi-award-winning Simon Stephens (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time). The modern, condensed version of Anton Chekhov’s famous play challenges an actor to play eight roles, navigating between comedy and tragedy of characters who desperately want to change their lives.
The play was presented in London’s West End with Andrew Scott, crowned with success and receiving rave reviews. Produced by the cultural organisation “Lykofos”, the Greek version has been performed in the historic basement of the Art Theatre and is coming to Andros International Festival on Wednesday 30 July 2025.
In the words of director Alexander Raptotasios:
“How can we change our lives? This question is at the core of the play. Eight characters deal with the same issue in different ways, and one actor embodies this dire need for change. For a different life. For love, affection, success, money, acceptance, happiness. Characters who are trapped, ridiculous, tragic and absolutely contemporary; whom we may encounter within our family, at the office, in a bar or at the supermarket. People trapped in a place of consumption and abundance that hides a barren loop. A human purgatory. Nightmare and farce alike. Just like all plays that have stood the test of time.”
In the words of playwright Simon Stephens:
“Chekhov’s plays should exist in this decade and this century. Chekhov loved theatre. Not libraries and museums, but the backstage, the spectators and the actors. The playwrights. The producers’ ingenious spirit. He would have watched our version with curiosity, with a bottle of wine in one hand and his pen in the other. He might have been surprised to find out that 120 years later we’re working on a play he would have recognised. A play about sex, love, money and life. In a world similar to his own, where money as usual runs out and everything seems unstable, yet people continue to do remarkable and ridiculous things. We continue waking up with a hangover. We continue falling in love.”
Translation: Danae Loukaki
Set design / Lighting: Marco Turcich
Costume design: Marie-Cecile Inglesi
Music: Alexander Raptotasios
Assistant director: Virginia Drakopoulou
Assistant set designer: Mariza Soulioti
Production management: Konstantina Angeletou
Production organisation: Ksenia Kalantzi
Production assistant: Panoutsi Margelos
Photography: Angeliki Kokove
Production: Cultural organisation “Lykofos” – George Lykiardopoulos
Admission
General admission: EUR 17
Discounted admission (students, unemployed, people with disabilities): EUR 14
Pre-sale starts on 23rd June 2025 at www.ticketservices.gr. From 23rd July 2025 tickets will also be available for sale at the theatre box office.