Interview With Emmy Award Winning Actor And Director Yannis Simonides - "Socrates Now"
- by XpatAthens
- Wednesday, 24 June 2015
We all know who Socrates was: only one of the greatest Greek philosophers of all time. Socrates Now is a 75 minute solo theatre performance (in English with Modern Greek subtitles) highlighting the Apology of Socrates. Performed in seventeen countries so far—festivals, universities and theatres—in 2015 performances are planned from 27th June until 19th July and is expected to attract over 2000 viewers of all ages.
Starring and co-directed by the Emmy Award Winning actor and scholar Yannis Simonides, he gives us some insight.
Born in Constantinople, raised in Athens and educated at Yale in the United States, you are truly an international, Mr. Simonides…but where do you feel your roots really lie?
Absolutely and fully in Greece, on every rocky path I have traversed, in every harbour I have anchored in, every sprig of thyme I have inhaled, every amphitheatre I have been graced with, every modern Odysseus I have encountered
Whilst your tour a lot worldwide, have you ever spent an extended period of time living and working in Athens? What has been your experience?
I have and quite often, and now I have a pied-a-terre in Psyrri, facing the Rock, listening to bongos and santouri all night long, taking in the fantastic graffiti, agonizing with the rest of my compatriots, performing in English and Greek for my fellow citizens and the citizens of the world, this 69 year old wandering minstrel could not be happier and more privileged
You’ve been performing Socrates Now for 10 years. You must feel a personal connection to the philosopher by now. Do you feel yourself identifying with any of his character traits?
10 years, 18 countries, over 200,000 audiences – there is no way that one could attempt this pilgrimage without being fundamentally altered by the experience. My morality has evolved into simple ethics, my humor has gotten sharper yet gentler, my attitude more childlike, my wisdom more prudent, my joy in life more delicious, my peace with my mortality more genuine; though, unfortunately, my Socratic determination to change the world has gotten out of hand and something needs be done about it. Any ideas?
To read more, please visit: Life Beyond Borders
For detailed event information and to book tickets, please click HERE.
For detailed event information and to book tickets, please click HERE.