In the role of “ambassador” of Greek theatre in Asia, Euripides’ Hippolytus, directed by Katerina Evangelatos, conquered the Hong Kong audience, managing to convey in a unique way both the tradition of Ancient Drama and the artistic language of modern Greek creation.

The performance was staged at the packed Lyric Theatre at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 March, delighting some 2,400 spectators who had secured their tickets months before.

The reaction of the audience was immediate and impressive: total commitment to the performance, enthusiastic applause, cheers and intense emotion at both sold-out performances, which left a strong imprint on the Hong Kong Arts Festival programme. The rhythm and energy of the actors, combined with the live music that breathed life into their words, captivated the audience, while the atmospheric set captivated the eyes on the stage of the impressive auditorium, creating a unique, “immersive” experience.

The reception of the performers by the audience was touching, with constant reappearances on stage after prolonged applause. In addition to the excitement in the auditorium, a crowd of mostly young audience members waited backstage to meet the actors in person.

The performance was part of the 53rd Hong Kong Arts Festival, an internationally prestigious cultural institution, where the biggest names of the contemporary art scene have appeared, strengthening the position of Greek theatre in the international artistic scene.

“The invitation to present a work from the ancient Greek tradition at the Hong Kong Arts Festival was a challenge for us. I had a lot of faith in this performance when I watched it for the first time,” said Mr. So Kwok Wan, Director of Programming of the Festival. “I felt that this was a play that could introduce ancient drama to our audience, especially in a performance with a contemporary aesthetic and respect for tradition.”

The performance was attended by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Athens Epidaurus Festival Dimitris Passas, the General Director Ioannis Kaplanis, the founder of the cultural organization Lykofos George Lykiardopoulos, the Director of Programming of the Hong Kong Arts Festival So Kwok Wan, directors of international cultural organizations, artists and many journalists.

The director of the performance and Artistic Director of the Athens Epidaurus Festival, Katerina Evangelatou said: “We are all grateful to have been given the opportunity to present our own take on this great play by Euripides in such an important event, which in fact invites a Greek performance for the first time. The response of the audience was truly moving. We felt the audience at our side from the first moment to the finale of the performance. The enthusiastic reception of the company and all the cast members to the applause and the warm words we exchanged later with many spectators who were waiting for us outside the theatre, filled us with joy and give us new impetus for the continuation of the Hippolytus tour in Greece and abroad“.