The Foundation of the Hellenic World presents for the second consecutive year the timeless work of Victor Hugo «Les Misérables», directed and adapted for the stage by Konstantina Nikolaidi, along with a cast of 23 accomplished and talented actors. The performance, which moved and was loved by both young and old during the 2023-2024 theater season, will continue from next October at the «Theatron» of the «Hellenic Cosmos» Cultural Centre.
There are works of world literature that time cannot wear down, nor alter their value, and which serve as life models for humanity. One such work is «Les Misérables». Through the lives of its characters and the life of its central hero, Jean Valjean, Victor Hugo uniquely reveals the agonizing journey of man from darkness to light. As he writes on its pages, «To love. It is enough. Do not seek anything else. There is no other pearl to be found in the depths of life». The book is published by many editions, specially adapted for children and teenagers. The work has been translated into almost all languages, has been adapted into films many times, and has graced theater stages around the world, culminating in the London performance that has been running for the last forty years.
Maria Filippou is responsible for the sets and costumes, Christina Foteinaki for the choreography, Melina Masha for the atmospheric lighting, Giannis Oikonomou for the original music and live songs with lyrics by Magdalini Palioura, Rafael Aristotelous for the music direction, and Viktoria Velopoulou for the video art. Assistant set and costume designer is Katerina Svoronou, assistant choreographer is Despina Triantou, and make-up artist is Rania Giannaki.
Jean Valjean, played by Ivan Svitailo
Javert, played by Michalis Markatis
Starring: Niki Pallikaraki, Orestis Trikas, Konstantinos Moutaftsis, Eleftheria Palla, Filippa Koutoupa, Rafael Aristotelous, Eirini Angelopoulou,
Vasiliki Andritsou
and Tasos Chalkias
Along with the actors: Elina Giannaki, Panagiotis Delavinia, Stefania Drakou, Nikolas Kalidonis, Stefanos Kaltsis, Dimitris Bambaniotis, Rino Tzani, Julie Tsolka, Konstantinos Tsoubaris, Giorgos Tsourounakis, Giannis Filippou and young Lydia Tsagari
About the Author
Director Konstantina Nikolaidi's Note:
Second year for Les Misérables at the «Theatron» of the «Hellenic Cosmos» Cultural Centre, produced by the Foundation of the Hellenic World, and I am very happy that this performance found the embrace it deserved, both from young and older audiences. Seeing people moved in the theater's foyer after the show is the most important thing for me, on the one hand. On the other hand, on stage and backstage, a talented, bonded, smiling, giving, loving team enjoys every moment of the performance. A true family. Happiness! The same cast, these 23 wonderful artists, and the same team of contributors look forward to telling the most important story written by Victor Hugo for yet another year. The light of this work stands and will always stand strong, timeless, a source of inspiration because it has the power to touch our souls. The core of the work and my guide in creating the performance is the phrase the author has put in the mouth of his central hero Jean Valjean «Love one another always. This is my wish for you. No matter how much you search, be sure, you will find nothing more precious in life than Love».
