Romiosyni by Vassilis Michaelides

Sun Jul 08, 2012 to
Mon Jul 09, 2012

20:30

Location

Cultural Centre of the University of Cyprus
Manor House on Axiotheas Steet
Old Nicosia
Nicosia, Nicosia

UCY Cultural Centre
Phone: 22894531 - 22894532

Description

Commemorating the tragic events of 1821, which marked the history of Cyprus, the Theatrical Workshop of the University of Cyprus presents its historical production “Romiosyni”, which became one of the favourite performances for both the large audience that saw it, as well as for the members of the Theatrical Worksop.

Based on the idiomatic masterpieces of Vassilis Michaelides “The Ninth of July 1821 in Nicosia (Cyprus)”, “Chiotissa”, “Cyprus to Its Mother”, “Cyprus to Those Who Deny That It Is Greek”, “Anerada” and others, the production acquired a special importance for the collective consciousness of the people of Cyprus, but also for the history of Cypriot letters, since the philological research that preceded it, resulted in the discovery of unknown manuscripts of the poet and the first publication of the missing verse no. 456 of “The Ninth of July”.
A memorable event was also the participation of poet Theodosis Nikolaou (1930–2004) who in the first performances of the play interpreted the role of the narrator, which he had performed 50 years ago in the historic production of the Famagusta Greek Gymnasium (1948), in which Archbishop Kyprianos was played by the hero of Cyprus, Gregoris Afxentiou.

The stage adaptation and the performance itself seek to reveal Michaelides’ conscious attempt to create (through all his historical and history-inspired dialectic poems that elaborate on the fate of Cyprus) a contemporary “tragedy”, which would convey in a poetic way the tragic aspects of modern Cypriot history. Another contribution of the Cyprus University Theatrical Workshop constitutes the fact that it offered a new approach to the dramatic adaptation and stage presentation of the poetic heritage of Vassilis Michaelides, based on all his historical poems, as well as on some lyrical poems written in the Cypriot dialect.

Adaptation, stage direction: Michalis Pieris
Music: Evagoras Karagiorgis
Set and Props: Christos Lysiotis
Costumes: Eliana Chrysostomou, Marina Kleanthous
Lighting design: Carolina Spyrou
Production manager, assistant director: Stamatia Laoumtzi