Hippolytus (in the arms of Aphrodite), is a new AR theatre work directed by Yolanda Markopoulou, produced by the Athens Epidaurus Festival.

Rooted in Euripides’ mythic tale, the performance explores the tragic fate of Hippolytus, He is devoted to Artemis and sworn to chastity, thus he rejects Aphrodite, goddess of love. In revenge, she curses him by making his stepmother, Phaedra, fall madly in love with him. The piece blends live performance, augmented visual layers and innovative sound design to construct a hybrid immersive world. As Aphrodite’s fury intensifies and the divine vengeance unfolds, the natural world unravels—trees ignite, landscapes decay, and catastrophe looms. Audiences witness a mythic downfall where divine vengeance reshapes both human fate and the natural environment.

Performed live with two actors, the 20’ production combines AR visuals and spatial audio, offering audiences a multi-sensory journey. Equipped with AR glasses, spectators don’t just watch—they become participants in Aphrodite’s revenge.