Nikos Kazantzakis' ZORBA THE GREEK, The National Theatre of Northern Greece, 2026.
Published in 1946 by Nikos Kazantzakis, Zorba the Greek is a masterpiece of modern Greek literature that explores the eternal struggle between the mind and the soul. The book is about a friendship involving two polar opposites: The narrator, a reserved, intellectual writer who is weary of his books and seeks to engage with the "real" world by reopening a lignite mine in Crete and Alexis Zorba, a boisterous, elderly working man with a massive appetite for life. He is a musician, a laborer, a lover, and a storyteller who lives entirely in the present moment. The narrator represents the Apollonian (logic, order, and intellect), while Zorba represents the Dionysian (passion, chaos, and instinct). The book gained massive international fame through the 1964 film
adaptation, directed by Michael Cacoyannis, starring Anthony Quinn.
The cast: Antonis Antonakos-Konstantis, Thanasis Dislis-Nikolas, Alexandros Zafeiriadis-Vasilakas, Sofia Kalemkeridou, Giannis Karamfilis, Anastasia Kelesi-Lola, Evi Koutalianou, Betty Nikolessi, Kleio Danai Othonaiou,
Ioanna Pagiataki, Miltos Samaras, Giorgos Sfyridis, Christos Tsavos, Paschalis Tsarouchas, Dimitris Tsilinikos, Nikos Tsoleridis, Thanos Feretzelis, Maria Chatziioannidou, Ioannis Martos.
The creative team: Theatrical adaptation and direction: Lefteris Giovanidis / Set design: Dimitris Polychroniadis /
Costume design: Evangelia Kirkine / Music: Christos Papadopoulos / Choreography: Ioanna Mitsika / Lighting: Alekos Anastasiou / Video art: Ada Liakou / Assistant director: Eleftheria Tetoula / Assistant costume designer: Zoi Karavasili / Assistant Choreographer: Stelios Rammos.