Some of the top legal minds in Australia will be giving Greek philosopher Socrates a retrial in a special one- off performance at the Hellenic Museum during the Labour Day long weekend.
Justice Lex Lasry, justice Emilios Kyrou and judge Felicity Hampel will have the task of sentencing Socrates, while QC Julian Burnside, QC Nicholas Papas, QC Ronald Merkel and Elizabeth King will be defending and prosecuting him.
Taking on the huge role of Socrates will be Greek Australian actor Tony Nikolakopoulos, whom many will remember from the popular movie Wog Boy and most recently Fat Tony and Co.
The role of Meletus, the chief prosecutor of Socrates, will be Greek Australian actor Lex Marinos, known for his role in the ABC’s The Slap.
The production is a chance to bring the ancient trial of Socrates to a modern audience while giving current legal minds the chance to give their counsel on the case.
With four barristers, three judges and one ancient philosopher the story has been brought back to life for Melbourne audiences.
It’s the second time the Hellenic Museum touches on the topic of the trial of Socrates, having welcomed the one-man play Socrates Now to its lawn in 2014.
After 300 performances in 15 countries, the play was brought to Australian audiences, playing to packed theatres.
What audiences will see during the long weekend will be a completely different performance, a retrial based on the opinions of current legal professionals.
The group will use modern law to evaluate not just the case of Socrates, but moral and social questions that remain as relevant today as they did in ancient Greece.
The performance will premiere on Saturday 7 March at 7.00 pm. Tickets are $95 for adults and $80 for concession.
Also during the Labour Day long weekend, the Hellenic Museum will be premiering the play Taxithi, a musical performance chronicling the lives of various women who migrated from Greece to Australia during the 1950s and 1960s.
Written and performed by Helen Yotis Patterson, the play has received extremely favourable feedback from the sold out reading at fortyfivedownstairs.
The premier on Friday 6 March is already sold out, but a special matinee session on Monday 9 March has been announced, with tickets still available.
Those looking for more of a traditional night out can enjoy the screening of Zorba the Greek on Sunday 8 March, continuing with the Hellenic Museum’s summer cinema program.
Event rundown:
March 6: Taxithi premiere
SOLD OUT
March 7: The Retrial of Socrates
6.00 pm to 9.00 pm
Tickets $95 for adults and $80 for concession.
March 8: Zorba the Greek screening
Doors open 7.00 pm, movie screens around 9.00 pm
Tickets $18 adults, $15 concession
March 9: Taxithi (matinee performance)
12 noon to 4.00 pm
Tickets: $30 for adults and $25 for concession
For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.hellenic.org.au/