A legendary Greek entertainer, Yannis Mourelatos, known to the Greek people under the nickname Yannaros, passed away on Dec. 12 at the age of 81. Yannaros was a unique performer whose act consisted of imitating voices and spread laughter with his consistent humor, to both children and adults.
His main act was in Patras and he was the artistic grandson of Mimaros, the first Master of the Greek Shadow Theater. He was a puppeteer everyone is always going to remember for his unique voice, self-sarcasm and irony. He was known and loved among older and younger people because he made them laugh.
At the Shadow Theater, Karagiozis is a shadow puppet and fictional character of Greek traditional folklore. Yannaros’ Karagiozis was politicized, but not partisan, and was not afraid to make harsh criticism where necessary, something close to the puppeteer who never chewed his words and criticized the wrongs without ever losing sensitivity and love towards life.
He never made any figures or sets, he found everything ready from others, but was a great mime. He has played many works in all Patras’ Shadow theaters, some of his own adaptation, such as Golfo and the eagle of Olympus, with great success. He has also played mainly in the prefecture of Aitoloakarnania, in Thessaly and Macedonia, even in America. He has also played Pluto in collaboration with actor Stavros Parava on TV.
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