ATHENS — The State Theatre of Northern Greece (STNG) will perform Aristophanes' comedy "The Birds" at Epidaurus' ancient theatre on Friday through Sunday, August 7-9.

Director Yiannis Rigas told a press conference on Tuesday he is using the 1975 revival of the 1959 original performance as a guide. The direction at the time was by Karolos Koun, the music is by Manos Hadjidakis and the sets by Yiannis Tsarouchis. The translation into modern Greek is by K.Ch. Miris.

Rigas, who participated in the 1975 revival, said at the Theatro Technis premises that putting on the play is "a tremendous challenge". Putting on the play, he noted, is "an emblematic start of a new career for the STNG."

The performance will include on the sidelines a show of work by Greek artists living abroad who were inspired by "The Birds", added to by Greek artists like Alekos Fassianos and Giorgos Stathopoulos, among others. The art works will eventually end up at the Royal Theatre in northern Greece when the performance tour concludes.

Aristophanes wrote "The Birds" in 414 BC, during the Peloponnesian War, sharply criticizing the Athenian democracy and the way its institutions work.