Greek actresses Maria Kitsou and Elena Charalampoudi will lead a new production of Charles Ludlam's comedy play The Mystery of Irma Vep at the Zina Theatre in Athens from December 18.
The upcoming staging marks the first time that two women will perform the lead roles in Greece for the celebrated theatrical work.
Director Yannis Kalavrianos has provided a new translation for the production and will also direct the show. The stage production is being mounted by Tagaris Theatrical Enterprises.
The Mystery of Irma Vep first premiered in New York in 1984 and quickly gained a passionate international following across global theater stages. Written by American playwright Charles Ludlam, the work is a classic parody of Victorian melodrama, Gothic horror tales, Shakespeare, Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, Bram Stoker's Dracula, and the suspense films of Alfred Hitchcock.
Plot and performance details
The plot follows Lord Edgar, an obsessive Egyptologist who returns to his isolated manor house with his new wife, Enid, following the death of his first wife, Irma Vep. As Enid attempts to settle into her new surroundings, she begins to feel the haunting presence of the deceased former wife, leaving viewers to wonder if Irma Vep is truly dead.
Haunted castles, Egyptian curses, and Victorian secrets converge in a fast-paced show where laughter meets suspense. In an intense showcase of theatrical speed and skill, Kitsou and Charalampoudi are tasked with portraying eight distinct characters across 35 rapid costume changes.
During the demanding performance, the two actors transform into vampires, aristocrats, mummies, housemaids, and werewolves.
Production team and ticket information
Composer Angelos Triantafyllou has written the music for the production, while Gely Kalampaka produced the photography and video trailer. Antonis Kokolakis is managing media communications for the staging.
Located at 74 Alexandras Avenue in central Athens, the Zina Theatre is a long-standing venue in the capital's theatrical landscape. The venue box office can be contacted directly by telephone at 21 0642 4414 for venue details.
Ticket prices for the show start with standard admission at 25 euros for Zone A seating, while Zone B tickets are priced at 20 euros and 23 euros. Discounted tickets for students, unemployed citizens, disabled patrons, and members of large families are set at 23 euros in Zone A, and 18 euros or 20 euros in Zone B.
Early bird tickets are available for 17 euros, with advance bookings handled through the more.com ticketing platform.
