On J
une 22, 2013, in Graz, Austria, the first showing of the international collaboration of the National Theatre of Northern Greece with the
Schauspielhaus Graz took place. The collaboration is a joint venture of the two theatres, under the umbrella of the Union of Theatres of Europe, and aims at highlighting and mocking the stereotypes that have developed during the economic crisis among Greeks and the German-speaking peoples of northern Europe.
The result of this co-production is the show
"Greece-Austria: A Tie!", which was presented with great success at the Schauspielhaus Graz, one of the major theatres of Austria.
In Thessaloniki, the show will be presented on October 3, 2013, at the Νew Hyperoon Stage of the Society for Macedonian Studies.
A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE PRODUCTION (from the program of the show at the Schauspielhaus)
Corfu was the favourite island of Princess Sissy. Goethe felt admiration and nostalgia for Greece as a modern "Arcadia". The country that gave birth to civilization has always attracted and exercised a great influence on the German-speaking world, promoting tourism as its main industry. The place where Zorba the Greek danced served for many years as a model for Northern Europeans, who admired the pure way of life of its people, their manners and customs, the food, and even the quirks that were part and parcel of the reputation of the Greek people.
Actors from both theatres, under the direction of the Greek-German director
Sarantos Zervoulakos, have put together a theatrical game based on national clichés and the "mutual insults” hurled at one people by another. Who will come out on top?
CONTRIBUTORS
Direction, sets and costumes supervision: Sarantos Zervoulakos
Research - Dramaturgy: Christian Mayer, Amalia Kontogianni
Assistant Director: Evropi Thomopoulou
Dramaturgy Consultant: Marlin Merholz
Cast: Simon Käser, Matthias Ohner, Lila Vlachopoulou, and Marianna Papasavva.