Aleka Katselli

Aleka Alexandra Katseli née Mazaraki Greek Αλέκα Κατσέλη Athens October 19 1917 September 11 1994 was a great Greek dramatic actress and a qualified dance artist She first appeared on the stage at the Karolos Koun Art Theater in 1942 during the Occupation After liberation and after a series of successes she was hired in 1945 at the National Theater where she made her first appearance as Portia in William Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice under the instruction of her later husband director Pelos Katseli Two years later upon leaving the National Theater she appeared as the leading actress of the dramatic stage in various dramatic works by other companies In 1950 she was rehired at the National Theatre appearing in key roles in George Bernard Shaws Saint Joan and Dionysios Romas Three Worlds At the same time she starred in the film Lycaena and took part in the dance dramas Marsyas and Forms of a Woman of the Greek Dance Drama by Manos Hadjidakis 1949 continuing a rich theatrical career culminating in 1986 where she starred in the play The House of Bernarda Alba by Federico Garcia Lorca Her participation in Greek cinema television and radio was notable