A critic’s statement that “Incest can never produce laughter” inspired this play by the 19th-Century comic French playwright Eugène Labiche (1815-1888), who explored over and over again in his work the farcical (as well as the dark) side of human nature, the revelation that our relationships all lead to a dead-end, and the impossibility of happiness – all through laughter.
Yet another stellar moment for the Poreia Theatre
Over the last few years, the Poreia Theatre has found itself at the center of attention, not only of the theater-going public, but of a wider cultural audience as well – thanks to its staging of a series of demanding works with leading actors and remarkable sets. This month, Yiannis Houvardas directs a troupe of talented actors (including Dimitris Tarlow, Christos Loulis and Lena Papaligoura) in Labiche’s Le Plus Heureux des Trois. The play premièred on January 21, and so this month it will be sufficiently “mature” to delight even the most demanding audience. Without a doubt, you will leave the theatre happy indeed.
The Museum of Cycladic Art, to celebrate its 30 years of pioneering creativity, is organizing an exhibition dedicated to Cycladic society 5,000 years ago. In this exhibition, the Museum presents the structure of Early Cycladic Civilization (Early Bronze Age, 3200 – 2000 B.C.) through 191 ancient artifacts created by the Cycladic islanders themselves.
Simple, spare and widely revered
The Early Cycladic idols, spare and austere, with wonderfully curvaceous lines and unadorned beauty, immediately bring to mind the creations of such modern artists as Modigliani, Matisse and Picasso – and reveal a great deal about the society which produced them. Their forms depict the Cycladic “anthropography” of that time with an eloquence which makes up for the lack of written sources.
The structure of a society and the shape of a civilisation
The exhibition “Cycladic Society” is divided into 5 thematic units: Social Nuclei; Activities, Crafts and Techniques; Social Life; Social Hierarchy; Beliefs and Cults. In a very clear and graphic manner, the exhibition brings to life the main features of Cycladic Civilization while also referring to the smuggling of antiquities, which, to a great extent, afflicted Cycladic culture for centuries. The 191 artifacts are drawn from: the Museum’s permanent collection, the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades, the National Archaeological Museum and from the Paul and Alexandra Kanellopoulos Museum, while the organization of the exhibition has been made possible through the generous support of the Paul and Alexandra Kanellopoulos Foundation.
We pick up the thread of Tsarouchis’ life where we left off at the end of the painter’s autobiographical exhibition three years ago. Here we explore 200 works by the enormously influential and productive artist from the 1940s until the end of his life in 1989. These works are curated and presented at the Pireos branch of the Benaki Museum to be viewed with ease and clarity in a space that helps us comprehend 49 years of creation, memories, philosophical musings, descriptions and meetings. Until February 26.
“With artists like Yannis Tsarouchis someone can read the entire history of a place as an illustrated book.” - Angelos Delivorias
Tsarouchis formed his work as he lived his life, as he knew and encountered people, as he conversed and exchanged ideas and as he participated in various situations. People like Alexander Iolas, Alexis Minotis, Maria Callas and Manos Hadjidakis all influenced him and were influenced in turn. In this exhibition the visitor will have a chance to read short texts written by the artist himself and enjoy a rich collection of photographs which will help them form a picture of Tsarouchis’ life and the influences around him – which are recognizable in his rich and iconic work.
Seminars and guided tours
Within the framework of this exhibition there will be educational seminars for groups of around 40 persons as well as guided tours on specific days and times by Niki Grypari, the curator of the exhibition and President of the Yannis Tsarouchis Foundation – as well as tours by other special guests whose names will be announced during the course of the exhibition.
It has been quite a while since we’ve seen such good theatre: script, actors, direction – all harmoniously combining for an astonishing result. The scenario, masterfully written, builds gradually to a shattering crescendo, holding the audience in breathless suspense, unable to guess the ending, an ending which produces the ancient Greek sense of catharsis and reveals modern decline and decadence. A timeless work, “Dear Elena” by Ludmila Razumovskaya, moves us in fundamental ways because it is so thoroughly true. It happened, is happening and will continue to happen as long as there are Elenas and others. Featuring an astonishing Arietta Moutousi and her “students”, under the direction of Eleni Skoti. Probably until the 29th of January. Don’t miss it – at the Epi Kolono Theatre.
Don Juan by Michael Marmarinos at the Onassis Cultural Centre
On January 25th, at the Onassis Cultural Centre, Michael Marmarinos will direct the “symbol” of romantic conquest, Don Juan by Molière. The hero provokes conservative society, calls love into question, strips both self and others naked without a moment’s hesitation. Whether mythical or real, he shocks the public without discrimination and elaborately reveals the dark side of human nature. From his earliest productions in the mid-1980s, the director left an indelible mark on modern Greek theatre, directing according to two basic tenets: “Theatre is art built upon the history of man”, “There is no moment in everyday life which is not theatre, once there exists the right glance or perspective”. For a limited number of performances only.
