Greek Media Cover Premieres of Javor Gardev's Play "The Bacchae" at Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus

Dimitrina Solakova, Ivan Lazarov

"The Bacchae" by Bulgarian director Javor Gardev at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus in Greece, July 11, 2026 (BTA Photo/Ivan Lazarov)

Athens,

12.07.2026 17:57

(BTA)

Greek media covered the premieres of Javor Gardev's play The Bacchae at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus on July 10 and 11. The play was among the highlights of this year's Athens Epidaurus Festival programme, a cultural forum in Greece that annually presents productions of ancient drama, theatre, music and dance.

In an article in the Greek specialized magazine Book Press, theatre critic Nikos Xenios describes the production as an unusual musical interpretation of Greek playwright Euripides’ tragedy. In the critic's words, the director views Dionysus as a factor destabilizing society and refracts the work through the lens of Balkan nationalisms. Xenios singles out Leonid Yovchev’s performance in the role of Dionysus.

In an article for the Greek literary and theatre publication O Anagnostis, theatre critic Olga Sella describes the production directed by Javor Gardev as a comprehensive and coherently constructed directorial concept that remains faithful to Euripides’ tragedy while simultaneously linking it to the problems of contemporary societies. According to her, the production impresses with its original staging, the mixed Bulgarian-Greek cast, and the strong performances by Leonid Yovchev and Michail Tabakakis, although in some places, according to the critic, certain directorial choices do not fully achieve the desired effect.

In its review of the production, the publication Days of Art notes that the play raises the question of to what extent society is capable of withstanding the disruption of the established order and how a single event can turn into a collective intellectual, psychological, and political trauma. According to the publication, the play explores the limits of order and the resilience of rules and institutions, while Euripides’ “Dionysian ecstasy” is presented not as an innocent celebration, but as a test of the very idea of civilization.

The Greek cultural publication Elculture describes the play as a bold international co-production between Bulgaria and Greece that brings together Bulgarian and Greek actors on one stage, with the music of the British band “Tiger Lilies” serving as an integral part of the stage action.

The Greek publication In notes that the premiere of The Bacchae at the packed Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus was met with enthusiastic applause. The article highlights the international nature of the production, which brings together Bulgarian and Greek actors on one stage, as well as the participation of the British band “Tiger Lilies.” According to the publication, the performance also attracted a number of prominent figures from Greek cultural life, including actors Vassilis Bisbikis, Nikos Kouris, Lena Kitsopoulou, and Evgenia Samara, as well as singer Despina Vandi.

On July 13, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre's summer tour in Greece will be presented at the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) National Press Club in Athens. The tour schedule is as follows: July 15 – Vrahon Theatre, Vyronas, Athens; July 17 – Petra Theatre, Athens; July 18 – Veakeio Theatre, Piraeus; July 20 – Siviri Amphitheatre, Halkidiki (Kassandra Festival); July 22 – Gis Theatre, Thessaloniki; July 24 – Katrakio Theatre, Nikaia, Athens; July 26 – Ancient Theatre of Dodona (Dodoni Festival); August 26 – Olympia Theatre, Floka, Ancient Olympia; August 28 – Ancient Theatre of Dion, Pieria; August 30 – Lycabettus Theatre, Athens; September 2 – Ancient Theatre of Philippi, Kavala.

/DS/