Aristophanes of the 5th century B.C. and Karagiozis, who has existed for just two hundred years, meet on the stage of the State Theater of Northern Greece, where …their characteristics and quirks blend together to create an ancient-folk comedy aimed at children and the whole family.
Aristophanes« *Peace* (421 B.C.) becomes the long-awaited peace that we have always needed. Karagiozis, beloved by young and old alike, whose life is affected by the war, takes the initiative to bring about peace. The well-known Karagiozis puppeteer Christos Stanisis created a free adaptation, directed and curated the music for Aristophanes» comedy, resulting in a production that combines shadow theater with live theater.
«We have set up a large stage 18 meters long, where the shadow theater screen is an extension of the overall stage set. Karagiozis and Hatzavatis are the only figures that appear on the screen, but they are 1.5 meters tall so that they do not “get lost” among the actors who frame the play,» Christos Stanisis tells the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency. He also reveals that at the beginning, the actors appear as shadows, which then come to life, while at a certain point in the play Karagiozis himself «comes to life» in a way.
Mr. Stanisis identified the common elements between Aristophanes and Karagiozis, both in the text and in terms of dramatic structure. «Just as in Karagiozis, after every event, a parade of characters begins; so too in Aristophanes do we have the hero Trygaeus, who goes to fetch Peace, whom he leads out of the cave along with the others. Before he returns home, Drepanas, the armourers, and the priest all make their appearances—some to agree with him and others to criticize him,» he explains.
In the play «Peace Again,» Karagiozis is from Trigaia. Just as he was starting to work, the war broke out; prices skyrocketed and everything was destroyed, which had a profound impact on his life. So he decided to go and bring Peace. «The message is that only if we work together properly and as one can we bring about peace.» In the performance, at first the villagers pulling the rope to bring Peace out do so without coordination, at different times. Others pretend to pull, but in reality they’re waiting for the rest to pull the …snake out of the hole. So Trygaeos-Karagiozis stops them and tells them that only by working together—in unison, with a single rhythm and a single purpose—can they succeed,” emphasizes Mr. Stanisis.
Karagiozis draws a clear parallel with the present day, addressing the children directly, with plenty of humor and no profanity. «I replaced Aristophanes’s coarse language with jokes that suit Karagiozis and that we use in our everyday lives,» says Mr. Stanisis.
Bambougeros and … Boula
The performance features many folk and traditional elements. Peace is a giant puppet wearing the «Boulas“ mask from Naoussa, while War wears the mask worn by the ”Bambougeri» of Drama. “At first, War is terrifying and savage, but then he ‘crumples,’ becomes comical, to convey the message that we shouldn’t take it seriously, we shouldn’t want it, and we shouldn’t concern ourselves with it,” says Mr. Stanisis.
Also on stage are three musicians who play wind instruments, percussion, violin, lute, and santur; they stand up and sing among the actors and encourage the audience to join in. «The entire performance is a folk festival, just as I wanted it to be, just as I believe Aristophanes intended. It has a fast pace that keeps the audience’s interest unwavering, and with the right lighting, this is achieved perfectly.».
«Peace Again» premieres on Sunday at 11 a.m. on the Socrates Karantinos stage at the Lazarist Monastery, and starting next week, there will be performances from Tuesday through Friday for elementary and secondary schools.
B. Kaz.
