AthensFestival1994Introduction

“Theodora and I” is a stage play directed by the Greek playwright Michael Cacoyannis, which was inspired by the life of the Byzantine empress Theodora (apx. 500-548), the wife of emperor Justinian I. Starring Greek actress Irene Papas in the lead role, the performance is described as a monologue. Performances were initially staged as part of the Athens Festival in July and August 1994 at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus theatre, while for some time it was also staged at the Culturgest in Lisbon.

Michael Cacoyannis (1922-2011) was a Greek filmmaker from Cyprus, best known for his Academy award-winning film “Zorba The Greek” (1964) starring Anthony Quinn, Alan Bates and Irene Papas. Cacoyannis would work more often with Irene Papas, for instance in his films based on Greek tragedies such as “Elektra” (1962), “The Trojan Women” (1971) and “Iphigenia” (1977). One of Cacoyannis first films “Stella” (1955) would also be a debut for the famous Greek actress Melina Mercouri. Apart from films, Michael Cacoyannis also wrote and directed many stage plays and several opera’s.

Irene Papas and Vangelis met in Italy in 1970, after which they became life-long friends. She contributed vocals on the Infinity-track of Aphrodite’s Child album “666” that same year and recorded two albums with Vangelis including Greek folk ("Odes", 1979) and Byzantine music ("Rapsodies", 1986).

Other plays that Irene Papas staged or performed in for which Vangelis provided a musical score are:

  • "Electra" (1983) performed at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus (Greece)  
  • "Medea" (1992) performed at the Greek Theatre in Barcelona (Spain)
  • "Las Troyanas" (2001) performed at the former Altos Hornos steel factory in Sagunto (Spain)
  • "Le Troiane ed Ecuba" (2003) performed at Tor Vergata University in Rome (Italy)
  • "Antigone" (2005) performed at the Greek Theatre in Syracuse (Italy).

In 2001 Irene Papas initiated the founding of a consortium of schools for the performing arts, allying three of the world’s most ancient cities, Sagunto (Spain), Rome (Italy) and Athens (Greece). Aged 93, Irene Papas passed away on the 14th of September 2022.

 

TheodoraAndIDetails and credits

  • Title: Theodora and I
  • Year: 1994
  • Country: Greece
  • Directed by Michael Cacoyannis.
  • Screenplay by Yannis Metzikoff.
  • Music by Vangelis Papathanassiou.
  • Choreography by Dimitris Papaioannou and Angeliki Stellatou.

Cast

  • Irene Papas: Empress Theodora

 

Media

There are no known recordings of any performance of this play.