Inclusive Performance of ‘The Trojan Women’ Staged at Ancient Epidaurus

In Epidaurus, Greece, a unique performance of Euripides’ ‘The Trojan Women’ was staged at the ancient open-air theater, marking a historic moment in its 2,300-year existence. The event featured a cast of 22 performers, including both disabled and non-disabled individuals, emphasizing a narrative of suffering and survival rather than victory.

The performance is notable for being the first fully accessible event at the venue, offering accessibility services for diverse audiences. Blind attendees received Braille programs, tactile models, and live audio descriptions, while deaf spectators used overhead titles. Physical adaptations were made to ensure better access across the site.

Greg Polychronidis, a Paralympic gold medalist present at the event, emphasized its significance as a ‘celebration of equality.’ Eirini Kourouvani, a performer using a wheelchair, experienced the theater for the first time, stating, ‘It is just grand. I feel my heart opening up as wide as this theater is.’

The presence of accessible services also highlighted inclusivity. Ioanna-Maria Gertsou, a blind psychologist, attended the play with her guide dog, Babu, sharing her relief at being able to attend performances equally with others.

The National Theater of Greece produced the performance, and the nonprofit Liminal designed the accessibility features, with financial backing from Greece’s Alpha Bank. Argyro Chioti, the National Theater’s artistic director, stressed that such inclusive productions should be standard practice, although they require complex planning, funding, and organizational expertise.