Marika Kotopouli

Marika Kotopouli (Greek: Μαρίκα Κοτοπούλη, 1887 - 1954) was one of the most important Greek theater actresses. She distinguished herself most as a tragedian in the works of foreign and Greek classical authors. She starred, however, in many different theatrical genres, including comedy and farce. Her performance in works by contemporary authors is considered unparalleled. Although she was not distinguished for her external appearance, she won admiration with the charm she radiated, as well as with the brilliance of her mind and the creativity of her thinking. She was born in Athens. She was the daughter of Eleni and Dimitrios Kotopouli. Both of her parents were actors. She first appeared on stage as an infant on tour with her parents. In 1902, she was hired at the Royal Theater and began to become known to the wider public. Her debut at the Royal Theatre was in A Midsummer Night's Dream. An important moment in the young Kotopouli's career was her participation in Aeschylus' trilogy Oresteia in 1903, where the recitation of an ancient drama in the vernacular for the first time caused an earthquake in the theatrical and social conditions of the time.