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
Sakis Serefas has written and staged several plays, as well as the screenplay for the feature film Roulemane, which was filmed in 2004 and directed by Panos Karkanevatos. His poems and prose have been translated into English, French, German, Italian, and Swedish. He is a member of the Hellenic Authors’ Society and an editorial consultant for the American literary magazine Absinthe.
