A one-off recording by Theatro Technis - a London performance by THEPAK
Cypriot Chronicles
by
Leonitios Machairas
Theatrical Workshop of the University of Cyprus
Tuesday 15th July 2008
Hellenic Centre, 16 - 18 Paddington Street,
London W1U 5AS
This is an unrehearsed video-recording of THEPAK's production of one of the most important narrative works of Medieval and Modern Cypriot literature. It was made during a performance at London's Hellenic Centre on 15th July 2008, to mark the 34th anniversary of the Greek Junta coup against Cyprus, and the Turkish invasion of the island which followed in 1974.
The production has had more than 50 performances in Cyprus, in Greece and in other countries, the latest one having been at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre in during the Fourth International Cyprological Congress in April 2008.
Apart from the positive critical reviews in the Cypriot and Greek press, the production was also praised internationally, while its significance in the awareness of the people of Cyprus of their history was emphasised by the distinguished Professor of Medieval History at Cardiff University, Peter W. Erbury (Journal of Medieval History, vol.25, issue 1, 1999). In his analytical critical review, published in the Spanish philological journal Erytheia, Revisita de Estudios Bizantinos y Neogriegos (vol 20, Madrid, 1999) the Catalan Hellenist Eyusebi Ayensa i Prat noted that "the production highlights one of the most important works of Medieval Cypriot literature, which precedes similar works of the Cretan Renaissance".
"A performance with much rhythm, numerous scenes and bold action, it is a historical journey through the Medieval history of Cyprus at the time of the French, the Venetians, the Turks and the Saracens. A topical subject even today, since the island is still suffering from the ulterior motives of the Europeans, the Turks and the modern Saracens who could be no other than the American successors of Pilate Pontius and the spoiled British colonisers of the Mediterranean. The language of the performance was a revelatory experience: a 15th century Greek, which despite the numerous influences by the island's conquerors, still emerges powerful. exquisite and expressive, with ancient word form, embellished by the typical dialectic pronunciation of the Cypriots" - Costas Arvanitakis, 'Tolmi', Heraklion, 28/7/1998)
Adaptation - stage direction: Michalis Pieris
Music: Antonis Xylouris - Psarantonis
Song Lyrics: Michalis Pieris
Song composition: Evagoras Karagiorgis
Set and props: Christos Lysiotis
Costumes: Wardrobe Department of the Cyprus Theatro Organisation, CyBC and Action
Wardrobe supervision; Christos Lysiotis
Lighting: Grigoris Papageorgiou
Sound supervision: Stamatia Laoumtzi
Assistant director: Costis Danopoulos
Production manager - prompter: Stamatia Laoumtzi
Supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Department of Overseas Cypriots, Cyprus High Commission, The Hellenic Centre, the Greek Association for Language enhancement and the University of Cyprus.
"Chronicles by Leontios Machairas" 119 mins
The video above can be found at Google Video
Video below is by CyBC Kyprion Nostos - 27th July 2008
Report by Cyprus TV about two performances given by the members of the workshop within the context of the annual events to commemorate the Greek Junta coup against President Makarios of Cyprus, and the subsequent Turkish invasion of the island and now its 34th year in continuing occupation of 37% of the island. Video of the full performance of "Erotokritos", one of the plays performed, is showcased (below) within this "Cyprus Week" section of the Theatro Technis website, providing in depth coverage of the events to mark the 34th Anniversary of Turkey's continuing occupation of nearly half the island of Cyprus.
The video above can be found at Google Video