VIGIL FOR PENTHEUS: Thoughts on the End of Civilization

Vigil for Pentheus is a powerful theatrical research performance in Nicosia, Cyprus, running on four consecutive Tuesdays in October 2026 at Aigaia Theatre. Originally presented at the Adios Horos Festival in Athens under the artistic direction of Stathis Livathinos, this production now makes its home stage debut.

Beginning with Euripides' image of the dismembered body of Pentheus, the performance unfolds through a dialogue with texts from philosophy, religion, mythology, history and tragedy — interwoven with works of visual art and historical documents from different eras.

At the heart of the piece stands Walter Benjamin's Angel of History, inspired by Paul Klee's painting Angelus Novus: a figure who gazes backward at the wreckage of the past while being swept helplessly into the future by the storm we call progress. The show asks a haunting question: what if the end of civilisation is not a future event but a shadow that has followed humanity from the very beginning? 🎭

Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

Creative Team

Concept / Direction: Eirini Andronikou

Performers: Eirini Andronikou, Antonia Charalampous

Musical Direction & Coaching: Marianna Galidis

Live Musician: Giorgos Kalogirou

Costumes: Cara

Photography: Christos Avramidis

Media Sponsor: RIK

Phone: 22445757