INTERVIEW WITH PANAGIOTIS BOUJIOYRIS TO ANTONIS KYRIKOS
Panagiotis Bougioouris does not need many introductions. For the last almost 20 years he has had a steady artistic career with changing roles and challenges. From highly successful TV series to highly demanding theatrical roles, he stays firmly committed to his artistic loves and packs his bags for trips abroad.
What was the moment when you said “I’m going to be an actor”?
I think that the artistic desire was born very early, out of soft dreams. But the thought of working professionally came to me in primary school. At school I saw some of my classmates preparing some sketches for the school festival and I felt that if I directed them they would be much better! So from a young age in art.
Do you remember what was your first role in theatre and television?
Well, yes, my Anthony, not so many years have passed! My first role in the theatre, as a graduate student, was Feste from Shakespeare’s 12th Night. A performance that we put on with my classmates and we had our teachers, Kostas Kazakos and Stathis Livadinos, by our side. I actually “came out” in the free theatre as a professional with Xenia Kalogeropoulou’s “Slavi”, where I played the king’s son! I made my TV debut a few years later, when Mirella Papakonomou saw me acting at the National Theatre, at the Experimental Stage and offered me a small role in the series “So Suddenly”, which was to be a very big one for my career!
Who were your idols?
All English actors! Lawrence Olivier, Richard Harris, James Mason, John Hart, Richard Burton. My father’s idols in a nutshell. I also “read” with interest the then new generation of American actors, such as Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman , Yon Voight. Since I was watching movies from a very young age, I was also watching quite a few old movies, so I knew and loved old Hollywood! Carrie Grant, Marlon Brando, Henry Fonda were great icons!
Theatre, television or cinema?
As you’ve already guessed, I love cinema, but theatre is definitely the basis of the actor and it’s what gives meaning to cinema! Television can be just as magical, and an excellent substitute for the flashlight is the actor’s “methadone”. But she is misunderstood because she is forced to host a bunch of useless other things!
Is there a role of “rejection”?
When you are very young and starting your career, you want to play all the great roles! I have been lucky enough to be entrusted with very important and classic roles, but my thirst for Shakespeare is always great and unquenchable. So no matter who I play, I always want the next one!
Should the artist have a voice to intervene in society or is he only an entertainer?
Good question! I think you should but it needs attention! It should not be done because it is fashionable or as a means of sensationalism. Especially now, with social media, the boundaries are very thin and the risk of becoming a parsley is high! An artist also speaks with his choices, artistic and otherwise! He doesn’t necessarily need to articulate a speech off stage!
What advice would you give to a young kid who wants to become an actor?
Not to forget the reasons that led him to follow his dream!
What are your future plans?
I have two very good offers from abroad and I am very excited. I hope they both come to fruition! At the same time, my colleagues and I are preparing to go to Cyprus to perform two theatrical productions that we staged last year in Athens! With the new year we will be staging something new in Athens and I will continue the acting seminars I deliver at Stelios Kalathas’ “Synaesthesia” venue!
What are your three favourite destinations?
Santorini, Limassol, Thessaloniki!
