What promised to be a first for the Cape and the Islands proved to be a superior delight for all those who filled the Knight Auditorium at the Barnstable High School on Tuesday, September 23, 2008. On a beautiful sunny afternoon, under clear NE skies, typical of Cape Cod flavor and ocean aroma, in the Astro Park of the High School courtyard, a delight itself to the eye and the senses, a masterpiece of creativity and transformation of space as well as a visual presence of past and present that has been cleverly interconnected; guests and friends of the Thespian Theatrical Scheme of Leonidas Loizides, prepared and gloriously woke up our senses to the classical spirit of Euripides "Vacchae".

All those who came to enjoy an authentic and first class tragedy by this great composer of antiquity, under the skillful, young and energetic Director, Leonidas Loizides, along with his most capable music director and composer Demetrios Katis, and a superb group of young talented actresses, proved to be a refreshing, dynamic and yet authentic and simply ethereal composition of this great play of Euripides. With minimal, almost austere dramatic scenery or two panels and a 6’ ladder draped by a white cloth to portray a tree, some Greek columns that our community had and Mr. John Sullivan’s Drama Club and treasures of supplies, Mr. Loizides at no time, created “his palace scene!” The actual palace was the magnanimous performance in both Greek and mostly English of this tragedy that transferred us in time and space and more so connected us with our cultural roots, whether literal or philhellenic.

Culture, Paideia, Education are treasures measured by one’s quality of life and the “eu zein!” to live well, and apply them in everyday life! We are indebted to all those who labored so hard in high positions of the Greek and Cyprus Government, Cultural Ministries of Greece and Cyprus, the World Council of Hellenes Abroad(SAE), the Hellenic Society “PAIDEIA” inspired by the tireless efforts of Prof. Ilias Tomazos at the U. Conn and last but not least, our humble “Hellenic Paideia Society ” of the Cape and the Islands, the Barnstable High School Officials, teachers and students and all the members and supporters who made this event a huge cultural success.

Mr. Edward O’Toole and his students gave a humorous interpretation of the “Bacchae,” as a prelude to the actual drama and Atty. Arthur C. George, our MC, presented a brief introduction of Euripides and his work. Several young ladies/students added to the actual play as members of the Chorus, quickly adopted to their role and contributed to the overall play. Many thanks to all who assisted, and contributed, sponsored and labored visibly or invisibly to make sure that this indeed was a first class act all around!! Kudos for a job well done!!

Fr. Panagiotis K. Giannakopoulos
Ieratikos Proistamenos