"Birds" by Aristophanes

For the “Birds", Aristophanes received the second prize in the Dionysia Festival in 414 BC. The play is considered by leading scholars to be the best of his surviving works. It was written during a time when peace was strongly undermined (Nikiios Peace Treaty); the operation in Sicily was ongoing and the political situation in Athens was not managed by suitable politicians.

Aristophanes (c. 445-385 BC) is the most prominent representative of ancient comedy. Eleven of his works survive in a complete form: “The Acharnians” (425 BC), “The Knights” (424 BC), “The Clouds” (423 BC), “The Wasps” (422 BC), “Peace (421 BC), “The Birds” (414 BC), “Lysistrata” (411 BC), “Thesmophoriazusae” (or, “The Women Celebrating the Thesmophoria”, 411 BC), “The Frogs” (405 BC), “Ecclesiazusae” (or, “The Assemblywomen”, 392 BC), and “Wealth” (388 BC). The plot in his comedies often focuses on someone leaving a place full of machinations, poverty, war, and big words, for imaginary places where he attempts to make his dreams come true.

The “Birds” are the first production of the Onassis Stegi of the Onassis Foundation at the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus in the context of the Athens and Epidaurus Festival, 2016. This is another collaboration between Onassis Stegi and Nikos Karathanos and his wonderful team, following “The Cherry Orchard”, a production that not only surprised audiences but also sparked a rare discussion and an invaluable debate on stage readings of Chekhov’s oeuvre.

The production of "The Birds" by Karolos Koun for the Art Theatre (Theatro Technis) is a point of reference in the history of contemporary Greek stage works; featuring a translation by Vasilis Rotas, sets and costumes were designed by Greek painter Yannis Tsarouchis, music was composed by Manos Hadjidakis, and choreography by Rallou Manou. The production received its premiere in 1959. The rest of the performances were cancelled by order of Konstantinos Tsatsos, Minister to the Presidency of the Government. It was staged again in 1960 in its final form. This was the first Art Theater production to be presented abroad, receiving the first prize in the Festival of the Nations in Paris (1962).

"More than any other kind of poetic language, Aristophanes brings us closer to the human condition. If through tragedy we become familiar with the quality and the content of ideas of classical Greece, through comedy we gain insight on the kind of person who conceived these, bringing them to life."
—Nikos Hourmouziadis

‘The "Birds” are perhaps the first work of utopian literature.’
— Stathis Dromazos

"Comedy is often the writer’s sob, when he knows that he cannot or is not allowed to write a tragedy."
— Pavlos Matesis

Reduced priced tickets are available for the following groups on presentation of the relevant documentation: students, soldiers, children aged 6-17, people over 65, the unemployed, Friends of the Onassis Stegi, Onassis Institute scholars.

Reduced priced tickets are also available in all zones for groups:
11-20 people: a 10% discount (bookings can be made at the Festival box office and ticket booths only)
21+ people: 20% discount (bookings can be made at the Festival box office or at the Onassis Stegi: ornithes@onassis.org and 213 017 8036 with payment required by 12 August 2016)

Transport to and from Epidaurus on the day of the performance for just 9 €.

Tickets from the Onassis Stegi box office Mon-Fri, 09:00-21:00.
Places on the coach can be booked for 9€. Packages including discounted tickets plus transport are also available for 24€ (B Zone) and 14€ (Upper tier). Payment by cash only.

Free transport is available for 50 unemployed people on presentation of their unemployment card.
Information & bookings: 213 017 8036 | ornithes@onassis.org

Tickets can be purchased through:

Credit Card Bookings via the Athens and Epidaurus Festival Website www.greekfestival.gr. No reservations are possible. Online booking is completed 1 hour and 30 minutes before the beginning of a performance. Online booking allows you to choose your seats depending on price and availability.
The Athens and Epidaurus Festival Box Office (Monday to Friday 9:00-17:00, Saturday 9:00-15:00)
From event venues: the box office opens two hours before the scheduled performance. Tickets for all performances and events are available during the first hour. During the last hour, only tickets for the scheduled performance are available.
Tickets can be delivered by courier. There is a charge of 3.50 € per delivery.
Ticket printouts can also be used.

Credit Card Telephone Booking

Telephone Booking Center: +30 - 210 32 72 000 | Monday to Sunday 9:00-21:00
Telephone booking is available until 1 hour and 30 minutes before the beginning of a performance.
On the day of a performance, telephone booking is available until 14:00.
Tickets can be collected from the Festival’s Box Office, or event venues. They can also be delivered by courier. There is a charge of 3.50 € per delivery.

Main Box Office

39 Panepistimiou Str. (inside Pesmazoglou Arcade)
Monday to Friday 9:00-17:00 and Saturday 9:00-15:00
Ancient Theater of Epidaurus Box Office (Argolis Prefecture, Peloponnese)
Monday to Thursday 9:00-19:00, Friday to Saturday: 9:00-21:00

On the day of performances, box offices at event venues will only offer tickets for the scheduled performance an hour before the beginning of the event.

You can also buy tickets in the following shops:
Public

Reload Stores

Evripidis