Vasilis Argyropoulos
Vasilis Argyropoulos (Paros, 1894 – Athens, April 28, 1953) was a prominent figure of modern Greek theatre: an actor, leading performer, theatre company director, translator, stage director, and theatrical entrepreneur.
The son of Spyridon Argyropoulos, he completed his secondary education at the Varvakeio School in Athens. His passion for theatre led him early onto the stage: in 1910, he made his debut at the "Nea Skini" (New Stage) theatre with the troupe of Marika Kotopouli. In 1912, he also collaborated with the troupe of Kyveli.
In 1914, he enlisted in the military and, during World War I, was taken prisoner in 1916 as a member of the 4th Army Corps in Görlitz, Germany, where he remained until 1919. Upon his return to Greece, he rejoined Kotopouli’s troupe, taking on leading comedic and dramatic roles until 1924. During this time, he also engaged in translating foreign plays, enriching the Greek theatrical repertoire.
In 1921, he married actress Giota Laskari, and in 1924, they jointly founded the theatre company "Hellenic Comedy of V. Argyropoulos." They staged productions at Athens’ "Kentrikon" and "Alhambra" theatres, the "Municipal Theatre of Piraeus," and toured major theatres across Greece and abroad.
In 1935, he established his own venue on Ippokratous Street in Athens, the "V. Argyropoulos Theatre," which became a vibrant center of theatrical life at the time.
He excelled in both classical and contemporary repertoires, successfully portraying roles in plays such as Faust, Tartuffe, and The Misanthrope by Molière, as well as works by Wedekind, Seinherr, Gaits, Schnitzler, Molnár, Lothar, Arnold, Bach, and Reimann.
His major theatrical successes included The Lord of the World, New Life, The Spirit of the Age by Timos Moraitinis, The Crooked Stick and Straight and Curved by Dimitris Psathas, Love Squared and The Door and the Window by Ioannopoulos, Love Needs Beating, The Property That Moved, and Illegal Traffic by Alekos Sakellarios and Christos Giannakopoulos.
In 1945, he published the important study The Art of the Actor, contributing significantly to the theoretical development of Greek theatrical practice.
For his multifaceted contribution, he was honored by King Paul and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria.
Vasilis Argyropoulos passed away on April 28, 1953. On the centenary of his birth, the Hellenic Post issued a special commemorative stamp in his honor, recognizing his invaluable contribution to the development and renewal of Greek theatre.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Writer | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | The Crooked Stick (To Stravoxylo) | Dimitris Psathas | Nikolakos Maroulis |
Major Theatre Performances
| Season | Play | Role | Company | Theatre | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greek Theatrical Season 1946/1947 | Adam II | Adam | Vasilis Argyropoulos Company | Vasilis Argyropoulos Theatre | Renato Mordo |
| Greek Theatrical Season 1947/1948 | The Little Carafes of Mr. Aristeidis | Petros Dragas | Vasilis Argyropoulos Company | Vasilis Argyropoulos Theatre | — |
| Greek Theatrical Season 1947/1948 | Rent Control (Enikiostasion) | Menios Agniadis | Vasilis Argyropoulos Company | Vasilis Argyropoulos Theatre | Vasilis Argyropoulos |
| Greek Theatrical Season 1947/1948 | Tartuffe | Tartuffe | Vasilis Argyropoulos Company | Vasilis Argyropoulos Theatre | — |
| Greek Theatrical Season 1949/1950 | Païntos | Mourtzas | Vasilis Argyropoulos Company | Vasilis Argyropoulos Theatre | Vasilis Argyropoulos |
Year Title
1932 Unwedded Groom (Nymfios Anymeftos)
1943 Watercolors (Aquarelles)
1950 Silent Priests' Wives (Siganopapadies)
Σχόλια