Just back from PHEDRE with Mirren & Cooper at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus in Greece

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 7/11/09 at 6:37am

Ok, I know it's not Broadway, but it is theater-related, so I didn't want to put it on the Off-Topic board ! And the show will visit Washington DC in September, so, those who can, don't miss it !!!!
It was a magical night of Theater last night, here at the birthplace of Ancient Theater ! National Theater of Britain's PHEDRE with Helen Mirren and Dominic Cooper visited Greece on a two-day engagement and I was able to get 4th row great seats, as soon as they were on sale ! The Play was incredible. Seeing it, at this unique place under the stars, was a truly memorable experience. Everything was simple but perfect, the book, the acting from everyone, the direction, the lighting. Helen Mirren was sensational in the role, but Dominic Cooper almost stole the show !!! Besides his gorgeous stage presence and his unbelievably sexy looks, his acting was top-notch ! The show got a standing ovation in the end, which trust me, is really RARE for this place and crowd !!! Helen and Dominic were clearly moved by the crowd's reaction and you could see how humbled they were, playing at this theatrical sacred ground ! Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were in the audience, since they have bought a house on an island here and spend most of their vacations in Greece ! All and all, a wonderful, unforgettable night, that I feel really lucky to have witnessed !!

[devonian.t]

Posted: 7/11/09 at 8:01am

Wow! Congratulations- it sounds like a fantastic evening!

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 7/11/09 at 8:17am

I've been to the site, but not when performances were happening, and it had its own mystic quality even then. I can only imagine what it's like when talented people take the stage and weave their magic!

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 7/11/09 at 10:45am

Thank you for posting. I'm even more excited to see the National Theater HD transmission in a few weeks now.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/11/09 at 12:01pm

Thanks for posting. It sounds like an amazing experience.

[Mrfreeze]

Posted: 7/11/09 at 3:57pm

That sounds amazing!

If they do indeed come to DC I'll definitely be there!

[uncageg]

Posted: 7/11/09 at 4:17pm

Color me jealous!

[Mrfreeze]

Posted: 7/11/09 at 5:03pm

I just got my ticket for sept 22. So exited!

Could you tell me how long the show was? I'm coming from NYC so I need to time it with the bus n all.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 7/11/09 at 5:58pm

Thank you all for your comments ! Mrfreeze, the show is 2 hours long without intermission !!!

[heo1128]

Posted: 7/12/09 at 1:11am

I've actually been to the Epidaurus theater, it's an AMAZING place! Can't even imagine what it would be like to see a show there!

[HelenF]

Posted: 7/12/09 at 5:00am

Yes, I was there too - we live only 26km away from the ancient theatre here in Greece! Didn't you just love the smell of the pine trees, the sound of the cicadas, the bats flying around during the performance? We were thrilled to see Tom Hanks (did you know it was his birthday just the day before?) and Rita Wilson, loved the entire production - seeing Helen Mirren live in such a setting was amazing and a once in a lifetime experience. As we were leaving, we heard the man walking out next to us tell his companion that the only role he could have played was Margaret Tyzack's nurse - recognising the unmistakeable Australian accent, we turned to see Barrie Humphreys, alias Dame Edna Everage. Two dames in one night!

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 7/12/09 at 7:30am

HelenF, welcome to the board !!! Are you Greek too or just living in Greece ??? In any case, I'm so happy you are here on the board and that you were also there in the Theatre, on that incredible evening !!! It was definitely a night to remember !!! And although Helen Mirren is definitely the talk of the town and she sure was incredible, I just caan't get over dreamy Dominic *sighs*

Updated On: 7/12/09 at 07:30 AM

[HelenF]

Posted: 7/12/09 at 8:09am

Thank you for the welcome! I'm British and have been living here, near the beautiful town of Nafplio, for almost two years now. We jsut couldn't believe it when we saw Phedre was coming to the festival (I'd logged on to the festival website in a 'What might we go and see this year?' kind of way) and screamed when I saw Dame Helen was going to be playing the ancient theatre. It surely was an incredible night - and Dominic was gorgeous - much more so than in Mamma Mia. PS What an adorable photo of you with your puppy (I assume it is you!) - what's the dog's name? When I get around to it, I shall post up a photo of my dog.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 7/12/09 at 3:16pm

Haha, no, it's not me, that's my favorite Broadway (and now TV) actor, Matt Morrison !! But do check your Private Messages !
Updated On: 7/12/09 at 03:16 PM

[BroadwayBaby21]

Posted: 7/12/09 at 6:05pm

So jealous! I visited the Epidaurus theatre last fall as part of a school seminar, and absolutely loved it. Unfortunately did not get to see any productions, but the theatre itself is stunning and so well-preserved. I am very jealous indeed.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 3:06pm

I caught this at one of its last performances at the National before it heads off to DC. I had to see it, if only because I've never seen Helen Mirren on stage and I can now say I've seen all of the great Dames of this generation perform live. Having said that I thought the best performances came, not from Mirren or the Coop but from Margaret Tyzack inexplicably making a foolish character endearing and John Shrapnel with his riveting account of the death of Hippolytus.

The Coop looked toned and groomed: what the two coopettes sat next to me (giggling at inappropriate points) made of it I don't know. I think they were expecting Mamma Mia II.

And the set was extremely effective, evoking both the beauty of an Aegean sky and the threatening violence of a city ravaged by war.

Though I'm sure not as effective as Epidaurus.

[Weez]

Posted: 8/27/09 at 5:27pm

I think Dominic Cooper did exactly as the text demanded of him. "Oh, Hippolytus is very beautiful and very much like a plank of wood". Highlights were John Shrapnel being awesome, and Ruth Negga being inexplicably lovely. Other than that... well, I'm glad I saw it, but I won't lament its moving on.

I suppose I'm quite jealous of y'all seeing it at Epidaurus; much as I adore the National, it just doesn't quite compare somehow. XD

Ah well! Have fun with it, DC!