Theater
Heracles: Of Men & Beasts
Theatre of the No welcomes the award-winning New Zealand theatre company The Barden Party to Athens for the first time with their brand-new original musical theatre production, Heracles: Of Men & Beasts.
Heracles beyond the myth: an original folk musical
This folk musical moves beyond the legendary labours of Heracles and turns its focus to the man behind the myth. The production will be presented on Saturday, September 26 at 6:00 PM, for one special performance in Athens.
Following their highly successful appearance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where they gained recognition for their inventive combination of Shakespeare and bluegrass music, The Barden Party return with an entirely original production.
The man behind the hero
Inspired by the legendary figure of Greek mythology, Heracles: Of Men & Beasts does not focus on his famous feats. Instead, it explores the man behind the legend, his struggle with his darker side and his complicated relationship with Hera, Queen of the Gods.
Four characters come together around a timeless question:
Who are we when no one is watching? Heroes, humans, beasts or gods?
Ancient mythology meets the visual language of 1940s Hollywood, creating a distinctive theatrical and musical world. At the heart of the production is live looping, with a single musician creating the sound of an entire band on stage and building the musical landscape live in front of the audience.
From Shakespeare to Greek mythology
The Barden Party was founded during lockdown by American-New Zealand actress and director Laura Irish. The company began as a flexible touring ensemble with a focus on outdoor Shakespeare performances.
Its name is a playful combination of Bard and Garden Party, reflecting the outdoor performance philosophy at the heart of the company’s origins.
After its successful appearance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the company now moves from Shakespeare to Greek mythology, bringing its distinctive theatrical and musical style to one of antiquity’s most iconic heroes.
A new perspective on Heracles. A story about human nature, our darker selves, and the boundaries between human, hero and beast.
Don’t miss the unique Athens performance of Heracles: Of Men & Beasts!
