Enter Yannis Simonides, an incredibly accomplished Greek writer, actor, director, and producer who has been performing The Apology of Socrates as an “80 minute solo performance in which…Simonides channels the eccentric yet magnetic personality of Socrates and offers a profoundly social, political, but above all human work which captivates the audience with the humor, immediacy and simplicity of its theatrical rendition.” What’s incredible is that a text written over 2,000 years ago still rings so incredibly true today. See what we mean in the video above.
For the past several years, the play has been received to great acclaim, but in 2012, inspired by a need for change and a desire to reach greater audiences with this incredible text, Simonides began to re-imagine the work. He retitled it Socrates Now, and decided to team up with dear friend and fellow Yale alum, Stefan Rudnicki, as Director/Producer. Since then the two have been working together—brainstorming, studying, experimenting, rehearsing—to breathe new life into this one-of-a-kind theater piece in preparation for what will surely be an extremely successful and exciting stateside run in 2014.
And of course this wouldn’t be a full Skyboat Media production without an audiobook! Yannis has put in his studio time by recording an audio version of Socrates Now under the velvet glove of Directress Gabrielle de Cuir, and the wonderful result is available now thanks to Blackstone Audio. Catch a sneak peek of Yannis in the studio above, and rest assured that while Yannis’ tongue flows with the musicality of Ancient Greek, the text moves to English a few lines in. And get your own copy of the audiobook now!
SOCRATES NOWWritten by Plato
Translated by Yannis Simonides and Loukas Skipitaris
Performed by Yannis
Take a seat in the court of ancient Athens as Socrates goes on trial for his life. Hear the philosopher face his accusers with his trademark wit, his cutting logic, and the courage of his ideals. Consider his arguments on virtue, justice, politics, civic duty, love of life, and hope in death, and make your own judgment.
Think. Question. Change.
And if you’re not already, please follow us on Twitter for the latest news for the forthcoming productions of Socrates Now!
