The play “Our Great Circus” by Iakovos Kambanellis, with music by Stavros Xarchakos and directed by Petros Zoulias, will premiere on Friday, December 5, 2025
at the Theatron of the «Hellenic Cosmos» Cultural Centre.
For ticket changes you can contact
the theatre’s box office by phone at
212 254 0300 (15:00-17:00)
or send an email to tameio@theatron254.gr
The play that left its own unique mark
on the Greek theatre scene comes alive at
Theatron of the «Hellenic Cosmos» Cultural Centre.
The new major production of the Foundation of the Hellenic World,
directed by Petros Zoulias,
starring
Eleonora Zouganeli, Dimitris Gotsopoulos
and with the participation of Giannis Zouganelis
together with 27 actors and musicians on stage.
Singing by Kostas Triantafyllidis and the entire troupe.
The Foundation of the Hellenic World presents for the 2025-2026 theatrical season the play “Our Great Circus” by Iakovos Kambanellis, with music by Stavros Xarchakos and directed by Petros Zoulias. The work follows, in a dramatic but also humorous way, the course of Greek history. The songs, performed live by Kostas Triantafyllidis and the entire troupe with the orchestra on stage, alternate with the narration and compose a work full of emotion and historical references.
A few words about the play
“Our Great Circus” is a work of historical significance for Greek theatre. Fifty-two years ago, in 1973, it had its first premiere in Athens, was censored several times, banned, but returned even more relevant. Its allegories take us on a unique journey, from antiquity to the civil war.
Today, the play gains new strength and voice. A challenge to revisit our history and ourselves, not as a simple revival, but as a timely theatrical act of memory and conscience. A performance staged with the logic of life itself, with conflicts and twists, emotion and satire, harshness and hope. 
Director’s note, Petros Zoulias
“Our Great Circus” is a wonderful popular theatrical celebration, containing all the joy, passion, and pain of Romiosyni. In the program of the performance, which premiered in 1973, the great writer Iakovos Kambanellis wrote “…that our land resembles Cronus, the god who devoured his children.” Yesterday, today, and perhaps tomorrow. Sometimes with satirical commentary and other times with a dramatic cry, the play embraces the entire history of our land.
Like another Aristophanes, who does not ignore Brecht, Kambanellis creates theatre within theatre. With impeccable mastery, he scratches old national wounds, dreams, and betrayals. The music of our great Stavros Xarchakos and the songs elevate the stage narration in a unique way. Tears are followed by laughter, creating for the audience all possible emotions.
