A few words about the play

The Gambler is an adaptation of the character-driven comedy The Card Player, originally written in 1963 by the Greek author Dimitris Psathas. The play explores themes of obsession, self-absorption, and the ripple effects these can have within close-knit communities.

At the heart of the story is Aleka, an upper-class married woman whose life becomes consumed by her passion for playing cards. Her fixation on the game is so intense that it begins to spread to some of her neighbors. Aleka’s devotion to card playing threatens the stability of her own family, as well as the families around her. Relationships become strained, and household harmony is placed at risk as the game begins to take precedence over daily life.

In an effort to restore balance and save their family from falling apart, Aleka’s husband and children resort to desperate measures. Will Aleka’s family succeed in convincing her to stop playing cards before she destroys everything they hold dear?

Magdalini Dasteridou, ALM
Foreign Language, Literature, and Culture