In a unique press conference held last Thursday (06-03-2025), representatives of the press were welcomed alongside the cast of the performance ‘You Took It All and Left – The Life of Stratos Dionysiou,’ set to premiere on March 12. On Wednesday afternoon, in the heart of Athens, the venue formerly known as ‘Perivoli tou Ouranou’ was renamed ‘Stratos,’ honoring the legendary nightlife hub of Stratos Dionysiou. The event gathered friends and collaborators with a nostalgic flair, offering a taste of Athens’ vibrant 80s nightlife during the presentation of this musical tribute to the iconic bard of Thessaloniki.
Director Vassilis Mavrogiorgiou expressed his excitement about the production, stating: ‘We are thrilled to delve into the life of such an important figure through our research.’ Regarding the collaboration with Giannis Tsordekis, he emphasized that ‘he is the only one who could embody this role,’ noting that ‘when he stepped on stage, we all saw Stratos.’ Mavrogiorgiou also highlighted Thanasis Polykandriotis’s contribution, aiming to take audiences on a journey through Dionysiou’s life by following the trajectory of his music.
Screenwriter Konstantinos Samarás explained that the choice of ‘Stratos’ was far from coincidental, as it marks a pivotal moment in the artist’s career when he opened his famous nightclub in 1987. Angelos, Stelios, and Diamantis Dionysiou shared their enthusiasm and gratitude for the sensitivity and care shown by the screenwriter and director in portraying their father’s life.
Thanasis Polykandriotis humorously remarked, ‘I’m not a conferancier or a singer; I just need to play good bouzouki,’ hinting at how the show will begin. He praised the script and cast while sharing personal anecdotes about Stratos Dionysiou. Lead actor Giannis Tsordekis described the project as ‘a very challenging and grand endeavor,’ crediting the exceptional script by Konstantinos Samarás, the dedication of Giannis Kent, and the direction by Vassilis Mavrogiorgiou.
The entire cast, including Maria Kechagioglou, Giannis Dalianis, Michalis Alikakos, Bessy Malfa, Chryssa Klova, and Dimitris Machairas, brings to life the characters central to Dionysiou’s story. Due to high demand, two additional performances have been announced: Saturday at 17:00 and Sunday at 15:00.