Actors & Actresses
Marika Kotopouli [1887-1953]
- «Among the figures in this century pantheon Marika is on the
top level and in theatrical pantheon is the top».
-Vasilis Rotas, Greek playwright-
About the Greek Actress Marika Kotopouli
Grande theatrical actress in Greece, overarching with her personality, radiance and talent the first half of 20th century. She had an admirable capability of playing in all the theatrical forms from vaudeville to ancient tragedy.
Her parents -also actors- take Marika from her little years with them in company tour to Greek speaking East. In 1903 debuted in the Royal Greek Theatre as Puck. Her first successes where in royal Theatre as Athena in "Orestia", Iphigenia in Goethe's "Iphigenia", Viola in "Twelfth night", Margarita in "Faust" etc.
In 1908 Marika makes her own group and she will keep it until her death, in Kotopouli theatre of Omonia square at first and then from 1936 in Rex that will be given to her brand-new. At the same time another leading lady, Kiveli, will start her own group, and a proverbial rivalry artistic and commercial starts.
Major points in Marika's career will be: Euripides' "Hecouba" (1927) directed by F.Politis, the creation of Eleftheri Skini (spring of 1929 - June '30) with Sp.Melas and D.Myrat, her tour in America (November 1930-Febrouary 1931), her stage confrontation with Kiveli ("Maria Stuart", "Mourning becomes Electra", "Mrs Warren profession") and in 1937 at the new Kotopouli theatre (Rex) her collaboration with Giannouli Sarandidi. In Rex her audience will applaud her in many plays and among them: "As you like it", "Dom Huan", "Macbeath", "Sixth floor".
During the war and bondage her appearances will be rare but vivid and in 1951 sets the new actress prize.
Her creative career ended in tour as it started in March 24, 1953 at Syro.
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«...combining the solemnity with imaginative lack of restraint and instinctive humor of a laical mime, she was untouched in all kinds of dramatic art. As a human being and as an artist she was one of that rare vital cells she is of that preferential nature that usually tip over the normal process, because their inner supplies outclass the needs and receptivity of their area and historical moment they live».
-Leon Koukoulas-
Links about Marika Kotopouli
- Marika Kotopouli Museum - Athens Info Guide
- Marika Kotopouli - Phantis
- Hellenic Ministry of Culture | Marika Kotopouli Museum
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