“My Mother’s Sin” by Georgios Vizyinos

by Theater Development

ETHAL’s 179th Production

Plot Summary:
Giorgis, one of four children in a family from Vizyi in Eastern Thrace, narrates as an adult the story of his sister Annios’ illness and his widowed mother’s futile attempts to save her, neglecting her other three children and exhausting their family’s resources. After the girl passes away, the mother quickly adopts another child, and, when that one marries, adopts yet another, despite her sons’ disapproval and the family’s financial hardship. Finally, the mother confesses to Giorgis that her obsession with adopting young girls stems from guilt over a sin she committed in her youth and her ongoing struggle for redemption.

The Story:
In 1882, Georgios Vizyinos, who had only written poetry until then, met Dimitrios Vikelas in Paris, who encouraged him to write short stories. Following this advice, Vizyinos published his first short story, “My Mother’s Sin,” in 1883, first in French in Nouvelle Revue and later that year in Greek in Estia magazine. This story marks a transition in Greek literature from simple narration and ethnographic tales to in-depth psychological character studies and explorations of the human soul.

Vizyinos drew material for this work, as with all his works, from his personal experiences, with character names corresponding to real individuals. The narrative is primarily in the first person, another innovation for its time, with the mother taking the stage only briefly to reveal her sin to Giorgis and the audience.

An important note for Cypriot literature is Vizyinos’ four-year stay in Cyprus under the patronage of Archbishop Sofronios II of Cyprus. He attended the Greek School of Nicosia, excelled, and was intended for the priesthood. References to this period appear throughout his body of work.

The Performance:
The production is a study of “trauma.” The actors, forming a chorus reminiscent of ancient Greek drama, interact with the on-stage musician, building a cohesive ensemble that brings forth various roles, creating a unique and theatrical narrative atmosphere. In this adaptation, alongside the original text, inserted excerpts from poems and Church rituals enhance the portrayal of the mother’s all-consuming battle—body, soul, and mind—to save her sick child and seek atonement.


Creative Team:

Director: Marina Vrondi
Dramaturg: Konstantinos Melidis
Set and Costume Designer: Yiorgos Yiannou
Music Composition / Soundscape Design: Giorgos Kalogirou
Movement / Choreography: Chloe Melidou
Light Designer: Vasilis Petinaris
Assistant Director: Yianna Georgiadou

Cast:
Giorgos Evagorou, Nektarios Theodorou, Thanasis Ioannou, Konstantina Xenofontos, Panagiota Papageorgiou
Performer / Musician on Stage: Giorgos Kalogirou

Photography: Dimitris Loutsios
Graphic Design: ARTemis Graphics & Visual Communication

Premiere: November 19, 2024 │ ETHAL Theatre │ 20:30

Performances:

Limassol – ETHAL Theatre:

  • November 22, 23, 26, 29 & 30 and December 7, 10 & 14, 2024 │ 20:30
  • November 24, December 1, 8 & 15, 2024 │ 18:30

Nicosia – Satiriko Theatre:

  • December 3, 4, 5 & 6, 2024 │ 20:30


Suitable for ages 12 and up
Duration: 80 minutes
Information: 25877827
Ticket Pre-sales: Sold Out Tickets https://tinyurl.com/mymothersinethal2024 and all Stephanis stores

Main Sponsor: Department of Contemporary Culture, Deputy Ministry of Culture
Permanent Sponsor: Limassol Municipality
Media Sponsors: Love FM 100.7 and Kathimerini newspaper
Supporters: RIK, Channel 6, Black Lemon

ETHAL-Theatrical-Workshops-20242025

ETHAL’s Participation in the 6th Maltepe International Theatre Festival in Istanbul

by Theater Development

ETHAL: “O Fiakas” by Dimosthenis Misitzis
at the 6th Maltepe International Theatre Festival in Istanbul

The Limassol Theatre Development Company (ETHAL) concluded this summer’s tour in the best possible way, presenting the play “O Fiakas” by Dimosthenis Misitzis, directed by Alexia Papalazarou, at the 6th Maltepe International Theatre Festival in Istanbul on Sunday, October 13, 2024.

“O Fiakas,” a hilarious comedy, written in Constantinople in 1870, was warmly received by the festival audience. They actively engaged throughout the performance, ending with a standing ovation for the actors and director.

A lively, colorful cast of mischievous servants, barons, aristocratic ladies, tricksters, wealthy heiresses, and lenders set up a “festival” across towns and communities in Cyprus, beginning from Limassol of the 21st century and concluding in Istanbul, where the journey first began in the 19th century.

We express our gratitude to the Maltepe International Theatre Festival and its Artistic Director, Kubilay Erdelikara, for inviting and hosting our team. Special thanks to the Festival staff and all who contributed to this production—ETHAL’s first performance in Istanbul.

ETHAL’s Artistic Director, Mr. Achilleas Grammatikopoulos, and Mr. Erdelikara expressed their mutual hopes for a fruitful collaboration between ETHAL and the Festival in future projects.


Production Information

Adaptation / Direction: Alexia Papalazarou
Set and Costume Designer: Yiorgos Yiannou
Music Composition / Song Lyrics: Giorgos Kalogirou
Movement Coordination: Eva Kalomoiri
Light Designer: Kyriakos Siamptanis
Assistant Director: Yianna Georgiadou
Translation and Subtitle Management: Çağdaş Polili

On Stage:
Grigoris Georgiou, Izel Seylani, Marina Vrondi, Savvina Georgiou, Thanasis Ioannou, Konstantina Xenofontos, Melina Koutsofta

Πρώτη Ανάγνωση

“My Mother’s Sin” First Reading

by Theater Development

First reading for the new production by ETHAL

“My Mother’s Sin”

The powerful novella by Georgios Vizyinos, considered the first Greek short story with a psychographic character, is brought to life by ETHAL this November in an original stage production.

Contributors:

Director: Marina Vrondi
Dramaturg: Konstantinos Melidis
Set and Costume Designer: Yiorgos Yiannou
Music Composition / Soundscape Design: Giorgos Kalogirou
Movement / Choreography: Chloe Melidou
Light Designer: Vasilis Petinaris
Assistant Director: Yianna Georgiadou

On Stage:

Giorgos Evagorou
Nektarios Theodorou
Thanasis Ioannou
Konstantina Xenofontos
Panagiota Papageorgiou

Performer / Live Music on Stage: Giorgos Kalogirou

Ο χρονοσ παλι

ETHAL presents the prose writer Sotiris Triantafyllou with her new book “Time Again”

by Theater Development

ETHAL presents the prose writer Sotiris Triantafyllou with her new book “Time Again”

As part of the “Modern Greek Writers” events, ETHAL is hosting one of the most well-known Greek prose writers of the modern generation, Sotiris Triantafyllou, in Limassol, on the occasion of the release of her new book titled Time Again.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009, at 7:30 PM Information: 25877827 Free entry

ETHAL Artspace (Municipal Properties, Franklin Roosevelt Avenue 76, SALA building)

The author will be introduced by journalist Peggy Spineli.

About Sotiris Triantafyllou

Sotiris Triantafyllou was born in Athens in 1957. She studied pharmacy, French literature, American history, and urban history in Athens, Paris, and New York. She has worked as a translator, journalist, and high school teacher of American history in South Bronx. She has written novels including The Flight (2004), Chinese Boxes (2006), and A Little of Your Blood (2008). Triantafyllou has also written children’s literature, such as A Letter from a Dragon (2005). In addition to her writing career, she has worked as a translator, editor, and professor of Film History, authoring works like Monographs: John Cassavetes (1985) and French Cinema (1987).

Time Again

Time Again is a game of autobiography: the author wanders through her own life; fiction mingles with reality, events that happened merge with those that could have happened, with those that would be nice to happen; “if I had a second chance, a second life, I would become…”

This book – the memoirs of someone who lived “a constellation of events” – is at times social history, at times literary criticism, and at times travel writing. “Sometimes, the first person, the narrator’s voice, seemingly guileless and innocent, is deceptive; a trick, a ruse, a deception. The author plays the game of biography, using a series of representations…”

Her work is characterized by the urban environment and the small battles people fight within it.

Sponsors: Cultural Services, National Book Center

Media sponsors: Kathimerini Newspaper, ASTRA, NTV

Theatriko imerologio 20 Xronia ETHAL

Calendar Dedicated to ETHAL’s 20th Anniversary

by Theater Development

Calendar Dedicated to ETHAL’s 20th Anniversary
The Theatrical March of Limassol has once again published its annual theatrical calendar, now in its ninth edition. Like previous editions, this calendar is dedicated to the history of Cypriot theatre, and this year, it highlights the history of the Limassol Theatre Development Company (ETHAL), which was established in 1988.

Twenty years later, with ninety productions across three stages (Main, Second, and Children’s), involving more than 150 artists, and having acquired its own dedicated space—thanks in part to the support of the Limassol Municipality—ETHAL has become a key cultural institution in Cyprus.

This year’s calendar honors ETHAL’s 20-year journey and is dedicated to all those who envisioned and believed in the need for a professional theatre in Limassol and worked towards that goal over the years.

Through rich photographic material, the calendar captures significant moments from this journey, which was not without challenges. However, the result is undoubtedly significant and serves as a foundation for even more exciting and inspiring future endeavors.

With this edition, as well as the previous calendars of Theatrical March of Limassol, an effort is made to document and promote a valuable part of the history of theatre in our country.

The calendar is available at the ETHAL Secretariat and bookstores.

ETHAL Theatrical Workshops 2024:2025

ETHAL Theatrical Workshops 2024/2025

by Theatrical Workshops

FACILITATORS

The actress and director Marina Vrodi, the dramaturg and choreographer Chloe Melidou, the dramaturg and actress Gianna Georgiadou, and the actress Anthi Kasinou.

A world of creativity and expression through the art of theater, for elementary school children, teenagers, and adults. With multiple techniques, theatrical games and exercises (rhythm, trust, observation, senses, imagination, communication, cooperation), children and adults express, create, interact, and learn!

CLASSES

– For elementary school children
– For teenagers (Junior High / High School)
– For adults
– Preparatory classes for admission to Drama Schools

TUITION FEES

– €40 per month
– For two siblings €70 per month
– In the case of a third child from the same family, attendance is FREE

CLASS START DATE

Saturday, September 7, 2024

Information: 25 877 827

ETHAL Theatrical Workshops 2023:2024

ETHAL Theatrical Workshops 2023/2024

by Theatrical Workshops

A world of creativity and expression through the art of theater, for elementary school children, adolescents, and adults. With multiple techniques, theatrical games, and exercises (rhythm, confidence, observation, senses, imagination, communication, cooperation), children and adults express themselves, create, interact, and learn!

DEPARTMENTS

– For elementary school children
– For adolescents (Gymnasium/High School)
– For adults
– Preparatory courses for admission to Drama Schools

INSTRUCTORS

– Actress and director Marina Vronti
– Dramaturge and choreographer Chloe Melidou
– Actress Anthi Kasianou

START OF LESSONS
Saturday, September 2, 2023

FEES

– €40 per month
– For two siblings: €70 per month
– In the case of a third child from the same family, tuition is FREE

For more information:
Phone: 25 877 827

ETHAL-Theatrical-Workshops-2022-2023

ETHAL Theatrical Workshops 2022/2023

by Theatrical Workshops

FACILITATORS

The actress and director Marina Vrodi, the dramaturg and choreographer Chloe Melidou, and the actress Anthi Kasinou.

A world of creativity and expression through the art of theater, for elementary school children, teenagers, and adults. With multiple techniques, theatrical games and exercises (rhythm, trust, observation, senses, imagination, communication, cooperation), children and adults express, create, interact, and learn!

CLASSES

– For elementary school children
– For teenagers (Junior High / High School)
– For adults
– Preparatory classes for admission to Drama Schools

TUITION FEES

– €40 per month
– For two siblings €70 per month
– In the case of a third child from the same family, attendance is FREE

CLASS START DATE

Saturday, September 3, 2022

Information: 25 877 827

Technohoros ETHAL | ethal.com.cy

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ETHAL Theatrical Workshops 2021/2022

by Theatrical Workshops

The lessons of the Theater Workshops take place every Saturday morning and every Thursday evening at the ETHAL Theater.

DEPARTMENTS

– For primary school children
– For adolescents (Junior High/High School)
– For adults
– Preparatory courses for admission to Acting Schools in Greece, England, and the U.S.

INSTRUCTORS

– Actress and Director Marina Vronti
– Theater Specialist and Choreographer Chloe Melidou

START OF LESSONS
Saturday, September 2, 2023

FEES

– €40 per month
– For two siblings: €70 per month
– In the case of a third child from the same family, tuition is FREE

For more information:
Phone: 25 877 827

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Vacancy: Administrative Officer at ETHAL

by Uncategorized

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendour of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.