The director Antonis Antipas passed away at the age of 83. The news was announced by his wife, composer Eleni Karaindrou, with her post on Facebook: “My beloved Antonis Antipas, the man who gave me his love and absolute devotion for 40 years is no more. I thank him from the bottom of my soul and he will forever remain my precious guide. My Antoni, I love you and I will always see you with the smile on your beautiful face.”

Antonis Antipas was born in 1941 in Byron, Athens. In 1960, he began studies at the Higher Industrial School of Piraeus, but in 1963 he interrupted them to study at the Drama School of the Art Theater of Karolos Koun. He performed in 30 performances, starting with the dance of the “Chickens” in 1964. In 1971-72 he attended directing seminars at the City Literary Institute in London and in 1972 he worked as an assistant director of Minotis. In 1974 he founded the Simple Theater with Christos Politis and directed “It was all my children” by Arthur Miller.

Although as a theater company the Simple Theater was dissolved in 1990 with the departure of Chr. Citizen, Antonis Antipas continues his artistic activity in the theater of the same name from 1990 to 2012, founding together with Eleni Karaindrou the non-profit company “Artistic Organization Spectrum”, identified with the name Aplo Theatro, which prevailed in the reports for the theatrical actions of the organization. During this time, the organization housed particularly important performances, mainly of foreign repertoire by great authors – it placed particular emphasis on English and American drama (Harold Pinter, Eugene O’Neill, etc.)-, while collaborating with high-level actors.

As part of his action at the Simple Theatre, he will acquire a friendly relationship with writers such as Harold Pinter and Brian Friel, who will also attend his performances (such as Pinter in “Dead Zone” in 2000 and Friel in “Drying” in 2003). In 2001 the director presented Euripides’ “Troades” in Epidaurus. He will direct for the first time at the National Theater in 2017 with O’Neill’s Lusts Under the Poplars.

Lina Mendoni’s condolences

Informed of the loss of Antonis Antipas, the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni made the following statement:

“Antonis Antipas, who left us today, was a great, accomplished theater person. In all its dimensions. Primarily, of course, as a director, who used the solid skills he acquired as a student of Karolos Koon to radically renew, in his fruitful fifty-year career, the directing perspective, staging classic works of the world repertoire, but also introducing new creators to the Greek audience. To Antonis Antipa we owe emblematic performances of works by Eugene O’Neill, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, but also by Harold Pinter and Brian Friel.

With the establishment of the Simple Theater and the New Stage of the Simple Theater, Antonis Antipas created schemes in which he collaborated with established performers and highlighted new ones. Confirming his dedication to Art, which was not limited to directing, but successfully extended to overall guidance and successful and continuous experimentation with new techniques, persons and methods. The Greek theater, to which he bequeathed a recognized and active influence, owes him much. My sincere condolences to his partner Eleni Karaindrou, his family, his many colleagues, friends and students».

The condolences of the KKE

“The KKE sadly says goodbye to Antonis Antipas, a gifted director, who enriched the theater and our knowledge of it and its creators with his quality art. We express our condolences to his family and loved ones» says a statement from the party.