13 Μαΐου, 2026
by RITUAL by Guillaume Poix
Based on an idea by Lorraine de Sagazan
Directed by: Christos Theodoridis
Premiere: January 28 | New Stage “Nikos Kourkoulos” | Tsiller Building
Because the only thing you can do in the world we have created is to continue to exist. Existence as a revolution, therefore.
The National Theatre presents, starting from January 28, at the New Stage “Nikos Kourkoulos” of the Tsiller Building, the Ritual by the French playwright and dramaturg Guillaume Poix, directed by Christos Theodoridis. A performance about mortality, loss, and at the same time, a parade of humanity, a celebration of life.
Drawing inspiration from 300 interviews conducted between 2020 and 2021, a period of increased collective loneliness, Guillaume Poix writes the Ritual (Un Sacre), based on an idea by the French theater and opera director Lorraine de Sagazan, weaving a chronicle of loss that—through “small” stories of people—culminates in the “great” History of humanity. A History that today seems to be running in ways we cannot follow. A History that today is struck by other critical losses: of dignity, rights, empathy, and justice.
“I wanted to have a life, not to be a story.” Stories of people who were passionately loved, who sacrificed themselves for others, who traveled to the other side of the sea for a better future, who were mourned or whom nobody sought. Seemingly disconnected stories that, however, are united by the core that burns relentlessly throughout the history of humanity: the relentless mortality of man. “Pain demands time. The pain within us is long.” In an era where death goes unnoticed, almost indifferent, where loss must be experienced quickly and pain is not allowed because it tarnishes the false happiness of a life that is marketed in every way, Guillaume Poix’s work comes to remind us that the end of life is a natural part of it.
The Ritual, directed by Christos Theodoridis, follows the logic of the author’s interviews, adding to the final result three new stories inspired by the Greek reality of recent years, written by the director’s frequent collaborator, Isabella Konstantinidou. Recognizing theater as a rite of reality, always with movement—signed by Xenia Themeli—and enhancing the onstage event with live music, the performance emerges as a collective breath, an unavoidable and luminous testimony of human life.
Because the only thing you can do in the world we have created is to continue to exist. Existence as a revolution, therefore.
“It’s not what we have lived, it’s what remains for us to live. And from now on forever, I can envision this moment. I can forever love you tomorrow.”
Translation: Dimitra Kondylaki
Dramaturgical processing: Christos Theodoridis – Isabella Konstantinidou
Direction – Music supervision: Christos Theodoridis
Scenography: Loukas Bakas – Philanthi Bougatsou
Costumes: Angelos Mendis
Choreography: Xenia Themeli
Lighting: Tasos Palaioroutas
Music instruction: Melina Paioniadou
Dramaturg of the performance: Eva Saragá
Assistant director: Iasonas Asimakopoulos
Assistant costume designer: Alexandra – Anastasia Ftouli
Performers (in alphabetical order): Eleftheria Angelitsa, Charalampos Athanasopoulos, Irini Dambasi, Giorgos Exakoidis, Giorgos Kissandrakis, Konstantinos Krommydas, Thanos Maglaras, Ioanna Mavrea, Christos John Mouslli, Maria Bagana, Andreas Natsios, Ilias Sgouralis, Thomas Tsaknakis
Location: New Stage “Nikos Kourkoulos” | Tsiller Building
Days and times of performances: Wednesday & Sunday at 19:00 | Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 20:30
Ticket prices: Wednesday & Thursday €17, Friday €14, Saturday & Sunday €22, Student – Youth (up to 28 years) €12, Seniors (65 and older): Wednesday €12 & Thursday to Sunday €14, Unemployed, Persons with Disabilities & companions €5, Large families €10
Photos: Mike Rafail / @thatlongblackcloud
Video & Edit: Mike Rafail / @thatlongblackcloud
Music: Vasilis Dokakis
Advance Ticket Sales
ticketservices.gr • Ticketservices Booth, University 39 (inside Pesmazoglou arcade) | Monday to Friday: 09:00-17:00 • Phone purchases at 210 7234567 | Monday to Friday: 09:00-17.00 & Saturday 10.00-14.00 • Tsiller Building Box Office, St. Konstantinos 22-24 | Wednesday to Sunday: 09:00-21:00
The National Theatre is funded by the Ministry of Culture.
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Last update: 09/01/2026
