Whispers from decades ago linger here at \u03b8\u03ad\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03bf \u03a0\u03b5\u03c1\u03bf\u03ba\u03ad. It is Athens’ oldest theater with a rich history.
\u03b8\u03ad\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03bf \u03a0\u03b5\u03c1\u03bf\u03ba\u03ad first opened its doors in August 1931. The pantomime of Galatea was performed. It was one of the most well-known dramatic pantomimes.
The theater’s opening coincided with a time of artistic innovation. The iconic operetta “The Waitress” by Kimon Kapetanakis and Mimi Katrivanou premiered here. It starred the 27-year-old Vassilis Avlonitis. From that performance emerged scenes for the theater and cinema. It offered plentiful themes for satire and multifaceted jokes.
During the Axis occupation, \u03b8\u03ad\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03bf \u03a0\u03b5\u03c1\u03bf\u03ba\u03ad served as a hub for artists.
In 2009, Markos Seferlis renovated \u03b8\u03ad\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03bf \u03a0\u03b5\u03c1\u03bf\u03ba\u03ad. He staged two plays. The first was the comedy “Daddy Cool”. The second was the children’s show “O Zoumaroulis”.
The theater has hosted Greek comedies. These include “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Deipno Ilithion”. It also showcased the children’s show “S.O.S.E. ton Planiti”. Other shows include “Sti Follia tou Kouklou”, “Mamma… Mia Den Iparhei”.
\u03b8\u03ad\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03bf \u03a0\u03b5\u03c1\u03bf\u03ba\u03ad continues to host musical comedies.
The performances at \u03b8\u03ad\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03bf \u03a0\u03b5\u03c1\u03bf\u03ba\u03é often address social and political issues. They reflect the spirit of their times. This makes \u03b8\u03ad\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03bf \u03a0\u03b5\u03c1\u03bf\u03ba\u03é a mirror reflecting Athens society.
\u03b8\u03ad\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03bf \u03a0\u03b5\u03c1\u03bf\u03ba\u03é has seen countless actors. They have all left their mark on this stage. Their energy remains palpable today. You can almost hear the echoes of laughter and applause.
As we stand here before \u03b8\u03ad\u03b1\u03c4\u03c1\u03bf \u03a0\u03b5\u03c1\u03bf\u03ba\u03ad, remember its history. It is not just a building. It is a living testament to Athens’ cultural heart.