Stages Network – Athenian Theaters present Eduardo de Filippo’s comedy “He Who Saves Himself Is Saved,” directed by Tamilla Koulieva and featuring a large cast of leading actors. It is a tender situational comedy brimming with spirit that highlights the warmth and humor of traveling theater troupes—that is, the famous “boukoukia”—which form the roots of modern theater. Dimitris Papanikolaou, who stars in the play as the leader of the boulouki troupe, speaks to the Stages Network camera and to Nikos Thrasyvoulos. At the beginning of the conversation, he discussed the role of television in bringing popularity to theater actors who were previously unknown to the general public, and how this popularity ultimately draws audiences to the theater. He then spoke about his role in the play, in which he portrays the troupe leader of the bouzouki troupe and reflects on moments from the troupe’s history. The discussion also included his remarks on his two-year collaboration with the other actors in the plays and on television, in the successful Alpha series “Agios Eros.” Finally, he revealed how Tamilla Koulieva pitched the project to him and the other actors.
