Veteran actor Aimilios Cheilakis recently stirred the pot, arguing that today’s culture is all about making noise to avoid hearing rejection, not to be heard—because who wants to face an uncomfortable “no”? Onstage in “Alone with Hamlet”, touring Greece 12 years after its debut, Cheilakis has grown tired of empty praise for his velvety voice. Yes, he’s proud of it—but insists we must transcend charm and listen to the message: to stories that challenge us, provoke us, and mirror back our collective shadows. The play—a stripped-down Hamlet collaboration with Manolis Dounias—became a crucible to test his theories: responsibility in artistic success, civic duty, and the necessity of engaged listening. His takeaway? Applause isn’t enough. He’d rather audiences argue, question—even disagree—than cling to stifling comfort.
Το ΒΗΜΑ, 22 June 2025