Does anyone know of a website that has the 2003 schedule for the Epidaurus drama festival?<BR><BR>thanks,<BR>tania

Did a good search with 'Epidaurus+festival+2003' and here you go:<BR><BR>Throughout August<BR>Epidaurus Festival. <BR>Performances of classical-Greek tragedies and comedies take place outdoors Saturday and Sunday in the ancient theater of the Asklepieion of Epidaurus. Play summaries are available in English. Epidaurus is a three-hour drive from Athens. Concludes late August.<BR><BR>www.greekfestival.gr. <BR>

A million thanks. Got it. Bookmarked it.<BR><BR>Has anyone here ever been to one of the festival plays? Without speaking Greek, and given a printed english summary of the play, do the shows sustain themselves for 3 hours?

Tania - I would strongly suggest that you choose a venue ASAP so that you can read the play several times well before hand and even read up on several descriptions and interpretations before you go. It is always fun to think - I know this scene and Klytemnestra is going to repond ---. The setting of Epidaurus is spectacular and I would recommend staying in Naplion which is a delightful seaside town close to Epidaurus avoiding the 3 hour trip from downtown Athens. Depending on the venue most Greek plays last only around 2 hours. Enjoy!

Hi Charlie,<BR><BR>I've already made my reservations for the Byron in Nafplio for three nights, so that part's taken care of! <BR><BR>Brilliant idea reading the play before hand (and so totally logical it didn't even occur to me). Problem being that the website I was referred to earlier by another poster only has the schedule up to 2002, so I'll keep checking back to see what's playing between Aug 10-13 once the 2003 schedule is up. I should have plenty of time to do multiple reads providing the schedule is not posted at the 11th hour!

I'm Greek and a big fan of Epidaurus. The 2003 schedule will not be released before April-May 2003. Performances from the Greek National Theater and the Art Theater are of well - known quality, since both these organizations have years long experience in ancient greek tragedy. Performances from other organizations (greek and non- greek) can turn either to a huge success a or dissappointment. Apart from Greek drama other festivities also take place. I recall Jessie Norman's concert in 1999. When the schedule finally comes out, you could contact me if you wish, so that I give you my insight on the shows. [email protected]

We did this about eight or nine years ago when staying at Tolon for a short vacation.<BR><BR>Memory is a bit hazy now but I am sure it was a classical theatre group from Cyprus.<BR><BR>Many happy memories of that evening. Sitting high up in the theatre watching the sun setting just before the performamce began. The weather was calm and the atmosphere wonderful. I am also sure they had fire torches around the theatre that made it look, when dark, quite magical.<BR><BR>The perfomance was most interesting and the sound, without a microphone was crystal clear.<BR><BR>Rob

Wow, this brings back memories. I remember doing this about 25 years ago. Someone said I would never forgive myself if I didn't go so I went and I was terribly bored. Maybe I'd feel differently now, but at the time, I just wanted to leave.

Susan,<BR>I think Charlie made a good point though; by reading the play a few times and knowing it fairly well, the entertainment value will be there as it'll carry meaning. I can totally see myself like an idiot sitting there with my English translation, getting all tingly when a scene I particularly like comes up and thinking, &quot;YAY! I KNOW this!! And I'm sitting here in Epidaurus, watching this thing that I know, in Greek, in an ancient theatre!!&quot; <BR><BR>(although 25 years ago, I too would have been bored silly and wanting to leave, even if I DID know the play!)<BR><BR>Aging is a kooky and wonderful thing (except when it comes to bikinis.)