THEATRE

SCHOOL / THEATRE

The garden theater is opposite the Acropolis, on the back of Philopappou Hill.
It was specially designed for the Greek Dances Theatre “Dora Stratou” with a permanent setting by Spyros Vassiliou.

On foot: (Route Map)
North entrance (Pedestrian street): Opposite the Acropolis, from the end of the pedestrian street of Dionysiou Areopagitou to Ag. Dimitris Loubardiaris, follow the signs.
* The north entrance is ONLY open during summer events

By Metro: “Acropoli” station (Museum) (Route Map)
North entrance (Pedestrian street): “Acropolis” Station. From Plaka, end of the Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian street, opposite the Acropolis entrance.
* The north entrance is ONLY open during summer events

By Metro: “Acropoli” station (Makrigianni) (Route Map)
South entrance (Parking area): Acropoli Station. From the Station, Makrigianni, Misaraliotou, Tsami Karatasou, Filopappou, Arakynthou 33 (opposite).

By Metro: “Sygrou-Fix” (Route Map)
South entrance (Parking area): ”Sygrou- Fix” station. From the Station, Sygrou-Fix, A. Zini, Goufie, Orlof, Filopappou, Arakynthou 33 (opposite).

By Subway: “Petralona” Station” (Route Map)
South entrance (Parking area): “Petralona” Station, Doriaion, Antaiou, Arakynthou 33 (opposite).

By Bus: (Route Map)
South Entrance (Parking area): Trolley 15 or Route 230 Acropolis-Zografou, up to Philopappou Square, Mirdzievsky, Arakynthou 33 (opposite).

By Car: (Route Map)
South entrance (Parking area): Philopappou ring road, from the Acropolis (restaurant “Dionysos”), from Thisio or Petralona. There is a huge Parking area.
GPS: 33 Arakinthou Street, Athens

OFFICE BUILDING

The office, the Wardrobe and archives are housed in a 5-storey historic building in Plaka, along with the showroom, a lecture hall and the costume maintenance workshop.
The building was home to the internationally renowned English historian George Finley.

By Metro: “Acropoli” Station (Museum) (Route Map)
Acropolis Station. From the Station, Makrigianni, Byron, Sellley, Tripodon, Epiharmou, Scholiou.

By Metro: “Syntagma” (Route Map)
Syntagma Station. From the Station, Syntagma, Metropoleos, Voulis, Hyperidou, Kekropos, Hill, Scholiou.

In Greek folk dance, steps are relatively simple but the style of execution varies from place to place and is difficult to reproduce. It takes an accomplished dancer years of dancing with good dancers who possess the local style and with good music, to become imbued with it. The leader of the line in a chain dance has the most important role, as his understanding of the idiom is transmitted to the musicians and to the other dancers.

While most folk dance troupes around the world have learned their dances from dance masters or choreographers, this ensemble has built up its repertoire by inviting groups of villagers to perform on stage. As each village was presented, the troupe’s dancers learned the dances by dancing with the villagers. These original appearances were filmed and serve today as a reference to check whether dances are still executed in the genuine style.

About 80 different villages, islands or regions can be presented, each one with its particular costume, music and dances. For comparison, an average folk dance group in Greece has a tenth of this repertoire. The total number of dances in the repertoire is over 400.

Because dances are presented as authentically as possible, in the same manner and style as they have been brought by the villagers, the troupe has no choreographer. Senior dancers perform the tasks of artistic direction and rehearsal organization. New dancers hone the fine points of a particular local style in the traditional way: dancing during rehearsals alongside older dancers. There is no major dance company in the world which can boast such a feature, and it is another source of pride.

Check out the full Repertory here.

The main troupe is composed of 50 dancers, 25 men and 25 women. In addition, it has dancers from regions with a very particular style, such as Crete or Pontos, who perform only their local dances, as well as invited dancers from particular villages. There are 5 to 10 vacancies every year, for which about 100 applicants – who are experienced dancers from other groups around the country – present themselves each January. They dance with the troupe’s dancers until finally the most competent ones are integrated in April.

The troupe rehearses every evening prior to the performance for 1 1/2 hour. During the winter season most dancers have several small groups where they teach. By dancing every single day of the year they improve constantly and keep in form. All dancers and musicians have a morning job for a living. The troupe has about 15 permanent folk musicians and singers. They play for rehearsals and performances every day; no recorded music is used to dance, in order to maintain the personal rapport between dancers and musicians, inherent in folk culture.

Musicians have access to the archives of old field recordings, to verify the correct rendering of the particular style of playing characteristic to each region. Some of the dancers and musicians have been raised in the Theater, their fathers or even grandfathers having performed there. Many are married to fellow dancers and usually bring their children along because most of their evenings are spent there.

Program changes every second thursday. Performances last 90 minutes without intermission. Company of 75 dancers, musicians and singers. Many regions of Greece presented in each performance, each village or island through its authentic dances, costumes, musical instruments and songs. Reproduction is as faithful to the historic original as possible.

INDIVIDUALS
 20 euros (children 10€, youth: 15€
Travel agencies and hotels can ask for vouchers

RESERVATIONS
Are not necessary, the theatre has 860 seats.