Penelope, O, Penelope

A joint project of the Hamazgayin State Theatre named after Sos Sargsyan, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia, and the A.P. Chekhov International Theatre Festival

“PENELOPE, OH, PENELOPE”

Playwright, Director & Set Designer: Simon Abkarian (France)
Music Design: Tatyana Burel (Russia)
Music: “Vanakan” Rock Band
Costume Designer: Tamara Baroyan
Lighting Designer: Zarouhi Tarkhanyan
Make-up Artist: Anush Baroyan

Cast

Dinah — Narine Grigoryan
Elias — Varsham Gevorgyan
Ante — Narek Baghdasaryan
Nuritsa — Alla Sahakyan
Odessa — Tatev Hovakimyan
Theos — Andranik Mikayelyan
Sofia — Milena Ghazaryan

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In Greek mythology and world culture, the name Penelope is associated with the idea of a strong woman and unwavering loyalty. Simon Abkarian’s play “Penelope, Oh, Penelope” offers a new perspective on the story of Odysseus’ wife — one of the central figures of Homer’s Odyssey.

The heroine of the performance, Dinah, who has been waiting for her husband to return from war for twenty years, is not simply an example of marital fidelity. Her loyalty is deeper: it is devotion to the moral values of her world — to family, to her roots, and to her right to remain true to herself.

On the opposite side stands Ante, who stubbornly seeks to marry the heroine. He is a predator, ready to do anything to achieve his goal.

A separate theme of the performance is the fate of Elias — a man who has returned from war and embraced the ideals of pacifism.

According to classical rules, all events of the performance take place within a single day — Saturday. The characters defend their own truths and await Sunday, hoping for spiritual resurrection.