Timofey Kulyabin’s modern adaptation of the ancient Greek tragedy “Iphigenia in Aulis” by Euripides is set to headline at Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens on September 9 and 10 offering a rare opportunity for those in the Greek capital.
The production, which infuses the classic tale with a contemporary anti-war message, follows a successful world premiere at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus as part of the Athens Epidaurus Festival, where it was attended by over 15,000 spectators.
Kulyabin’s adaptation reimagines the tragedy within a modern context, where a tyrannical nation wages war against another seeking independence. The play centers on the harrowing decision of a father who must sacrifice his daughter to initiate the war—a theme deeply rooted in the original story of “Iphigenia in Aulis.”
Set just before the Trojan War, the play examines the moral and emotional turmoil surrounding the potential sacrifice of Iphigenia, the daughter of Agamemnon. To appease the goddess Artemis and enable the Greek fleet to sail from Aulis to Troy, the Greeks face the agonising question of whether Iphigenia must die. The story is told from the perspectives of several key characters from the Trojan War narrative, including Agamemnon, Menelaus, and Achilles.
Kulyabin’s version of the tragedy preserves the essence and themes of the original work while introducing a timely anti-war sentiment, resonating with today’s global conflicts and adding new layers of relevance to the ancient story.
