The Hellenic Art Theatre opened to huge applause on April 2 due to their incredible performance of historical drama, Papaflessas, at the The Greek Theatre – Mantouridion in Marrickville.
Based on a play written by Spyros Melas and adapted and directed by Stavros Economidis, Papaflessas is the Hellenic Art Theatre’s biggest ever production in Australia to mark the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.
With over 60 characters, played by 14 different people dressed in specially-made costumes to reflect the era, the play focuses on the complex character of Papaflessas, a priest who joined the Filiki Etaireia, as he navigates his way through the Greek Revolution.
“There’s lying and cheating, romance and passion because Papaflessas was a dynamic personality. He was no saint with plenty of flaws,” Kosta Vertzayias, an actor in Papaflessas, tells The Greek Herald.
This three-hour psychological interpretation of Papaflessas as a hero and man was a crowd favourite, with many attendees, both young and old, mesmerised by the performances on stage and assisted by English surtitles.
“A show not to be missed,” writes one attendee on Facebook, with another calling the acting on stage “outstanding” and “sensational.”
If you’re just as excited to enjoy the sensational performance of Papaflessas, there’s still a few performances coming up until April 25. You can find out more details here.
Synopsis:
Papaflessas was a historical character, a priest who went to Constantinople to study but instead joined the “Friendly Society” (“Filiki Etaireia”), which was recruiting followers and gathering supplies for a revolution against the Ottoman Empire.
In early 1821, he was in the Peloponnese inspiring Greeks with the will to fight for their long-awaited freedom. He took part personally in the fighting, and in 1823 became a minister in the government of Alexandros Mavrokordatos, but was killed in battle in 1825. Passionate and fearless, he was nonetheless a difficult and controversial character, a sinner as well as a saint.
