Australian actor, director, and writer Simon Stone, known for his contemporary and accessible adaptations of classic myths and literature, brings his rendition of Medea to the Pallas Theatre in Athens until July 11.
Stone, an acclaimed and in-demand theatrical creator, presents his modern take on Euripides’ tragedy, promising one of the most significant artistic events of this summer.
As the Athens Epidaurus Festival approaches its 70th anniversary in 2025, it continues to innovate by incorporating new venues and inviting internationally renowned creators.
This year, Simon Stone, a global theatre star, will showcase Medea for three performances with the cast of Internationaal Theater Amsterdam, one of Europe’s leading theatrical companies.
Stone, who has directed films such as The Dig for Netflix and collaborated with prominent actors like Geoffrey Rush and Ralph Fiennes, has seen his works performed in major theatres and festivals worldwide.
His impactful and praised Medea has been showcased in cities like London, New York, Amsterdam, and Madrid, receiving rave reviews.
The Greek audience will experience his direction for the first time, despite being familiar with his writing.
Stone’s Medea, inspired by a true story from Kansas in the 1990s, reimagines the ancient drama in a contemporary American middle-class setting. Anna, recently released from a psychiatric clinic, hopes to reconcile with her husband, Lucas, despite having previously tried to poison him. The reunion turns disastrous, transforming their home into a battleground of extreme emotions.
Reviews from the international press
“A world-class performance. A brilliant adaptation by a brilliant director, fueled by brilliant performances. Exceptionally, brutally bold.” – The Stage
“The direction is brutal. It leaves no hiding place for the performers. They don’t need it: this impeccable ensemble has created a raw masterpiece.” – The Guardian
“Fast, sharp, shocking. – Don’t miss it.” – London Theatre
“The children steal the show. They bring lightness and humor that make the adult violence more bearable. The performances are minimalistic, impressively dense. But what captivates is the verbal and physical duel of the protagonists. Hatred intensifies love, erotic passion strengthens the instinct for death. It’s horribly everyday and mythically horrific.” – Le Figaro
“But what dominates is her: Medea/Anna, as portrayed by Marieke Heebink. Impossible to take my eyes off her. (…) Because she naturally and effortlessly embodies the desperate drive of a woman on the edge of the abyss.” – Le Monde
Simon Stone on his Medea
“The story of Medea is timeless. When a couple separates, one partner’s desire to hurt the other can be so profound that they might destroy what they love most. Medea is a woman who kills her children. What could drive a woman to such an act? Is it the realisation that she no longer means anything to her beloved? That he has replaced her with a younger version? Medea was once Jason’s muse, the woman who enchanted and bewitched him. Now she has no place in his plans and ambitions. He rejects her, nullifying her very purpose in life. He pushes her to the extreme. Despair and evil consume her. She doesn’t abandon her children; she does something even more drastic: she kills them.”
Who is Simon Stone?
Born in 1984, Simon Stone is a highly respected and sought-after Australian actor, director, and writer. An avid reader of mythology and classics, he modernises and familiarises ancient texts through contemporary and relatable materials.
He creates unique interpretations of classic works through improvisation with actors, consistently returning to mythology and classic literature to explore fundamental human questions. Stone, born in Basel and educated at Cambridge, founded The Hayloft Project in Australia in 2007. His first production, Frank Wedekind’s Spring Awakening, was a massive success, establishing him as an inspired director with a distinctive theatrical language. His career skyrocketed with acclaimed productions of Chekhov’s Platonov and Seneca’s Thyestes.
Stone’s reimagining of Ibsen’s The Wild Duck was enthusiastically received at the Holland Festival in 2013. In his German directorial debut in 2014 at Theater Oberhausen, he transformed Aeschylus’ Oresteia into a contemporary family drama, earning unanimous praise from German critics. His Thyestes toured major theatres and festivals, including Theater der Welt, Holland Festival, and Théâtre des Amandiers. In 2016, Stone made his UK debut at London’s Young Vic with his version of Lorca’s Yerma. He also works in film and opera, directing The Daughter (based on Ibsen’s The Wild Duck) in 2016 and collaborating with the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 2022 for Lucia di Lammermoor.
When: July 9-11 at 9pm
Where: Athens Epidaurus Festival 2024
