Our History

Tracing ETHAL: Limassol's Theatrical Milestone

The Foundations of Limassol Theatre

Limassol's Theatrical Roots and Ascent

“Frogs” by Aristophanes. Director: Andreas Melekis. Sets / Costumes: Andis Parzilis. Actors: Chrysanthos Chrysanthou and the Chorus. Season: 1995/96. ©Christos Avraamides.

As Kostas Pilavakis informs us in his book "Limassol in older times", the first attempts to create a theatrical movement in the city were made in the early 1870s when various amateurs, mostly intellectuals of Limassol, started to stage various patriotic dramas in the halls of private houses.

This rudimentary theatrical movement would intensify - on a pan-Cypriot scale - from the very first years of the British rule and would be embraced by broad sections of the people, such as public schools, private schools, unions, guilds, etc. The need to stimulate the national spirit and to promote the age-old desires of the Hellenism of Cyprus, would find in theatrical art the most ideal step.

In Limassol, the 'ARIS Theatre Company' was founded in 1880, with the aim of 'reviving various national dramas on stage throughout the winter'. Thus it presents dramas by Zambelios, Vassiliadis, Vernardakis, but also some other plays such as "The Millers", "Maniodes" etc. Another, parallel, theatrical activity was that of public and private schools which staged, mainly, ancient Greek tragedies.

Early Theatre Movements in Limassol

Charting the Rise of Limassol's Theatre Scene: From Amateur Gatherings to Cultured Performances

In the years that followed, various groups of young people formed into temporary troupes and performed a wide variety of works. The life of these troups, in most cases, does not exceed the purpose of their formation, i.e. the performance of a particular play. Their performances are given. wherever there is a spacious hall: inn, clubs (Isotis, Anagenesis), entertainment centres (Aktaion, Skyrianides Bar, Victoria), and even in the halls of houses, since Limassol does not yet have a suitable theatre. This will only be acquired in 1914 (Hadjipavlou Theatre, on Agiou Andreou Street) and this event will be the decisive step for the upgrading of the theatrical - and more broadly cultural - life of the city.

The first structured performances begin to be given to the referred venues and theatrical art begins to be taken more seriously by its various admirers. The same is true of the theatre departments in schools, which now seek the cooperation of renowned artists and intellectuals for their theatrical endeavours. Nikos Nicolaides the Cypriot, Solon Michaelides, Victor Ioannidis, George Fasuliotis and Yannis Lefkis are just a few of the renowned people who are eager to help school theatre.

“Women in the Snow” by A. & K. Koufali. Director: Achilleas Grammatikopoulos. Sets / Costumes: Elena Antoniou. Actors: Sophia Kalli, Maria Fiaka, Danae Christou, Vivian Nikolaidou. Season: 2006/2007. ©Christos Avraamides.

From Amateur to Professional

Limassol's Journey to Professional Theatre: A Tale of Persistence and Passion

“Abelardos and Eloise” by Yannis Kalavryanos. Director: Costas Silvestros. Sets / Costumes: Marina Hadjilouka. Actress: Vasiliki Kypraiou. Season: 2019/2020. ©Christos Avraamides.

And yet, while the city of Limassol had the right to be proud of its admirable, under the circumstances, achievements in the field of theatre, and while all the data led to the conclusion that its rich amateur activity would sooner or later lead to its professional fulfilment, unfortunately the continuation was not as expected. Thus, while the capital Nicosia "records" its first professional company as early as 1942 (Lyric Theatre), Limassol will be lucky enough to have its own company only in 1988, with the establishment of the Limassol Theatre Development Company (ETHAL). This was of course preceded by several other efforts which were characterized by both organizational seriousness and the willingness of their executives to evolve into professional ones, but without ever succeeding, since this is not easy if there are no financial safeguards. Efforts of that kind worth mentioning: the "Onisilos", led by Keimis Raftopoulos, the "Cyprus Theatre Scene" of Nikos Nicolaides - Optician, the "Limassol Theatre Club", the "New Theatre" of Monica Vassiliou, the "Vanguard Theatre", etc.

The Establishment of ETHAL

Bridging cultures and communities through theatre, from Limassol to the world, fueled by innovation, collaboration, and steadfast municipal support.

“Tango” by Sławomir Mrożek. Director: Nikos Charalambous. Sets / Costumes: Stefanos Athienitis. Actors: George Loris, Elena Papadopoulou, Takis Christofakis. Season: 1990/1991. ©Christos Avraamides.

The processes for the creation of a permanent professional company in Limassol date back long before the foundation of ETHAL, since this idea was often discussed among various intellectual and artistic groups. However, these processes would take a more substantial form from the mid-1980s when they would move beyond their theoretical level and enter the stage of implementation.

Already in the mid-1980s, the then chairman of the Limassol Municipality's Cultural Committee, Doros Ieropoulos, entrusted the law firm of Chrysis Dimitriades and Co. with the submission of proposals for the "establishment of a theatre company by the Municipality", a fact that proves the determination to bring the ferment to a happy end. This initial idea of the Municipality may not have been implemented per se, that is, it never became a municipal theatre, but was embraced by a wide group of intellectual people and artists of the city and was implemented with some modification, leading to the approval of the Municipal Council.  A private company was to be created, while the Local Authority would come to the aid of the effort in various ways: with financial support, with the concession of the Pattihio Theater for the rehearsals and performances of the troupe, with the housing of its offices in the same space, and even with the participation of members of the City Council in the Board of the troupe being established.

And so it was done. After repeated meetings of the basic founding core, in the summer of 1988, the historic decision to establish a professional Theater Company in the city of Limassol was finally taken. For the implementation of the decision, a "temporary initiative committee" was elected, which took the responsibility of solving all the problems and coordinating all the actions that would make it possible to achieve the goal. The immediate priorities of the committee were: finding the members who would form the company, the authorship of the Company's Memorandum, finding funds for its initial needs, finding suitable offices to house it, etc.

“Internal News” by Marios Pontikas. Director: Chrysanthos Chrysanthou. Sets / Costumes: Maximos Christou. Actor: Takis Christofakis. Season: 1990/1991. ©Christos Avraamides.

The Founding Assembly of ETHAL

Bridging cultures and communities through theatre, from Limassol to the world, fueled by innovation, collaboration, and steadfast municipal support.

The first Board of Directors of ETHAL in the meeting room of the Limassol Municipality on the 11th of December 1988. From the left: Michalis Papayevagorou, Christos Melidis, Christis Harakis, Elli Peionidou, Pampis Anagiotos, Timis Efthymiou, Nikos Vichas, Andreas Pastellas, Vassilis Partasides, Doros Ieropoulos, Stathis Mavros, Kostas Makridis.

Photo courtesy of the archive of Elli and Panikos Peionidis.

The Provisional Initiative Committee worked methodically and in a coordinated manner to this end. It approached a wide range of individuals with a recognized contribution to the intellectual, artistic and social life of the city, and it did not take long to form the basic core of 51 members required by law for the establishment of a non-profit company such as ETHAL. They entrusted the writing of the Memorandum to the lawyer Christakis K. Melides, who was also one of the founding members, they reached an agreement with the Limassol Municipality for ETHAL to be housed in the Pattihio Municipal Theatre, they approached the first actors who would staff the company's troupes, and they carried out all the administrative tasks that would be required for the smooth operation of the company.

Thus was born the Limassol Theatre Development Company (ETHAL), the first professional theatre company in the history of the city and the first professional ever to be created outside the capital. The vision of a theatre of decentralization was now leaving behind the theoretical announcements and wishful thinking and entering the stage of practical testing.

The Founding Assembly of ETHAL took place at the Limassol Municipal Hall on 11 December 1988, while the first Board of Directors, elected on the same day and constituted in a corpus, consisted of the following: Doros Ieropoulos - president, Timis Efthymiou - vice-president, Pampis Anagiotos - secretary, Stathis Mavros - honorary treasurer and Nikos Vichas, Yiannos Daniilides, Kostas Makridis, Elli Peonidou, Michalis Papaevagorou, Vasos Partasides and Andreas Pastellas - members.

“A huge explosion” by Vassilis Mavrogeorgiou. Director: Marina Vronti. Sets / Costumes: Yiorgos Yiannou. Actor: Vassilis Charalambous. Season: 2021/2022. ©Yiorgos Yiannou.

“The Happiness Curve (The Crisis of 40)” by E. Galan and P. Gomez. Director: Minas Tingilis. Sets / Costumes: Melita Kouta. Actors: Costas Kazakas, Antonis Lapithiotis, Manolis Michaelides, Michael Ellinas. Season: 2007 /2008. ©Christos Avraamides.

The first years were difficult. The Board of Directors immediately undertook action in order to lead the newly established company into the theatrical scene of the country as soon as possible. The most important aim now was the best possible staffing of the troupe with artistic personnel, so that ETHAL could quickly enter the theatrical practice, and at the same time, the company itself had to be staffed with competent administrative personnel, as well as technicians who would support the productions.

ETHAL's Foundational Years & Beyond

Uniting Talent, Vision, and Community: ETHAL's Rise to Theatrical Prominence

“Stella Violanti” by Gregoris Xenopoulos. Director: Minas Tingilis. Sets / Costumes: Kostas Kavkaridis. Actors: Andri Evmidou, Elli Kyriakidou, Annita Terzi, Christos Boukouvalas. Season: 1999/2000. ©Christos Avraamides.

With concerted actions and tireless efforts, the Board of Directors managed in record time to organize ETHAL and prepare the troupe for its maiden performance. The offices were housed in the Pattihio Municipal Theatre, in a space kindly provided by the Limassol Municipality, while the same space hosted the troupe's performances for the first three years. In the financial field, ETHAL immediately secured the support of the Cyprus Theatre Organisation, since as a company that met all the terms and conditions, it was included in the Free Theatres grant scheme. The support of the Municipality was also unreserved, since, apart from offices and financial support provided, four of the eleven members of the first Board of Directors of ETHAL, under a special provision of the memorandum, were Municipal Councillors. The city of Limassol was acquiring its own theatre organization.

The first actors who joined ETHAL were Chrysanthos Chrysanthou, Giorgos Loris, Michalis Papaevagorou, Andreas Tsouris, Pambos Charalambous, Nasia Dafiotou and Antzoulino Gabriel, while later almost all the actors of the Free Theatre collaborated with the company.
Since its foundation and until today ETHAL operates a Central Stage which gives regular performances at its theatre, while it tours regularly in all the cities and large rural centres of Cyprus, thus implementing in practice its character as a decentralised company.
From its foundation and until the year 2015, ETHAL also would operate a Children’s/Youth Stage, while during the period 2000-2019 a Secondary Stage was operating.

The first appearance of ETHAL in the theatrical events of the country took place on the 23rd March 1989 with Richard Nash's play "The Rainmaker", staged by ETHAL’s Central Stage. The translation was made by Michael Cacoyannis, the stage direction was by Monica Vassiliou, while the set and costumes were designed by Stella Michaelidou.
The roles were performed by the actors: Chrysanthos Chrysanthou (Starlet), Nasia Dafiotou (Maggie), Pambos Charalambous (H. Curry), Michalis Papaevagorou (Thomas), Andreas Tsouris (Jim), Giorgos Loris (Fyle) and Angelino Gabriel (Sheriff).

Exactly one month later, on the 23rd April 1989, the first play of the Children’s Stage was staged. It was 'Irene, Irinaki, Irinoula', a play by Vasiliki Fotiou, directed by Tasos Anastasiou. Set and costumes were designed by Valentinos Iosif and the actors performing were Giorgos Loris, Pambos Charalambous, Nasia Dafiotou, Chrysanthos Chrysanthou and Andreas Tsouris.      

“The Rainmaker”: “The Rainmaker” by Richard Nash. Director: Monica Vassileiou. Sets / Costumes: Stella Michealidou. Actors: Michalis Papaevagorou, Andreas Tsouris, Pambos Charalambous. Season: 1988/1989.

“Littl’ Irene” by Vasiliki Fotiou. Director: Tasos Anastasiou. Sets / Costumes: Valentinos Josif. Actors: Giorgos Loris, Nasia Dafiotou, Pambos Charalambous, Andreas Tsouris, Chrysanthos Chrysanthou. Season: 1988/1989.

“The Inquisitor Comes” by John Presley. Director: Thanos Sakketas. Sets / Costumes: Maria Loizidou. Actors: Leandros Panagiotidis, Nasia Dafiotou, Giorgos Loris. Season: 1989/1990. ©Nicos Avraamides.

The maiden performance was generally considered a success and the newly formed company showed great promise for the future. The repertoire consisted of important classics, as well as notable newer works that shaped the course of the theatre. Their selection was always based on the composition and the potential of the artistic group of the troupe. The following can be mentioned as important moments of ETHAL in these early years: Alessandro Casona's "The Trees Die Standing” and John Presley's “The Inquisitor Comes”, directed by the Greek director Thanos Sakketas, who contributed a lot to the Cypriot Theatre, "Biderman and the Arsonists" by Max Frisch (directed by Nikos Charalambous), "The Following Sunday" by Spyros Papadogeorgos (directed by Andreas Pantzis), "Tango" by Slavomir Mrozek (directed by Nikos Charalambous).

At the same time, during this period, ETHAL is enriching its pool of actors, while collaborating with renowned directors, musicians and stage designers. Actors who staffed its troupes in the first steps, in addition to the initial core, were: Elena Efstathiou, Leadros Panagiotidis, Andreas Vassiliou, Valentina Sofokleous, Panagiotis Madouris, Dimitris Xystras, Takis Christofakis etc., while from time-to-time ETHAL has collaborated with several other actors with a recognized contribution to the Cypriot theatre, such as: Spyros Stavrinidis, Elli Kyriakidou, Elena Papadopoulou, Katie Tseriotou etc.

The Big Leap

In 1991 ETHAL makes a big and ambitious leap.
It proceeds, for the first time, to hire an Artistic Director. The position is offered to the renowned Cypriot director Nikos Charalambous, who brings along proposals for a complete upgrade of the company, which are being accepted by the company. Thus, it proceeds to a substantial change of its entire philosophy and objectives and, consequently, to a substantial expansion of its troupe by recruiting new and competent staff. ETHAL adapts a former cinema - the 'Galaxy' cinema and later the 'Polyplano' cinema- and transforms it into a small atmospheric theatre. In this way ETHAL acquires its own functional home, retains its status as a company, but its troupe comes with a new name: Praxis Theatre.

To meet the needs of this upgraded vision, a large number of capable actors are recruited, while a number of existing actors are retained. Thus, the new staff of ETHAL is made up of the actors: Chrysanthos Chrysanthou, Elena Efstathiou, Giorgos Tsiakkas, Christina Pavlidou, Dimitra Kalpaki, Spyros Sarafianos, Zoe Kyprianou, Elena Papadopoulou, Takis Kaimakliotis, Yiannis Lampropoulos, Takis Christofakis, Androulla Irakleous, Andreas Melekis, Monica Meleki.

“The triumph of Love”: “The triumph of Love” by Marivaux. Director: Nikos Charalambous. Sets / Costumes: Stephanos Athienitis. Actors: Christina Pavlidou, Zoe Kyprianou, Takis Kaimakliotis. Season: 1991/1992.

“Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare. Director: Nikos Charalambous. Sets / Costumes: Angelos Angelis. Actors: Giorgos Tsiakas, Christina Pavlidou. Season: 1991/1992. ©Nicos Avraamides.

The repertoire of the year is entirely consistent with the artistic ambitions of the people who are leading this initiative. Shakespeare's immortal masterpiece "Romeo and Juliet" has been chosen as the first play, giving ETHAL the very honorable title of the first Theatrical company, apart from THOC, to stage a play by this great dramatic poet. The company's Artistic Director, Nikos Charalambous, directed the production, Kostis Kolotas made the translation, Angelos Angelis designed the sets and costumes, Michalis Christodoulides composed the music and Frances Wood-Mavrommatis did the choreography. Once again, for the first time, we find in another theatrical company apart from THOC, the ensemble that has given so many great hits on the State Stage. The two leading roles were covered by Christina Pavlidou and Giorgos Tsiakkas, all the actors of the company took part, plus Nikos Charalambous, who had the role of Father Lawrence, while two other accomplished leading ladies, provided by THOC, participated: Despina Mbembedeli and Lenia Sorokou. Stelios Kafkaridis made an appearance via video.

The second work of the Praxis Theatre was just as ambitious and demanding as the first one and was to be staged for the first time in Cyprus. It was Peter Shaffer's famous "Amadeus". The direction was again by Nikos Charalambous, the translation by Mimi Denisi, the sets and costumes by Stefanos Athienitis, the music by Vasos Argyridis and the movement again by Frances Wood-Mavrommatis. The two leading roles were performed by two remarkable actors of the Cypriot theatre, who were also provided by THOC: Spyros Stavrinidis and Antonis Katsaris.

A third production, staged as a summer production, completed the year and the cycle of this ambitious vision. It was Marivaux's comedy "The Triumph of Love", also staged for the first time in Cyprus. Once again, the play was directed by Nikos Charalambous, on the translation of Andreas Staikos and sets and costumes by Stephanos Athiainitis.

“Amadeus” by Peter Shaffer. Director: Nikos Charalambous. Season: 1992/1993. ©Nicos Avraamides.

“A troubled night” by Luca Karadjale. Director: Svetlana Charalambous. Sets / Costumes: Stefanos Athienitis. Actors: Dimitris Xystras, Chrysanthos Chrysanthou, Andreas Vassiliou, Elena Efstathiou. Season: 1991/1992. ©Nicos Avraamides.

The artistic results of this ambitious project were admittedly impressive, but the economic results were inversely proportional. ETHAL was brought to the brink of destruction and from the very next year onwards, everyone's vision of a great theatre was put on the back burner for good. Everything starts practically from the beginning and the Limassol theatre company shrinks even more than its original size. The management's efforts to keep ETHAL alive will be painful, but it won't be long before they bear fruit and put the company back on the upward trajectory.

An assistant in these first difficult moments was the well-known actor and director Phaedrus Stasinos, who took on the role of an informal Artistic Director. At the same time, he directed two plays ("Chocolate Soldier" by George Bernard Shaw and "Laurels and Oleanders" by Dimitris Kechaidis and Eleni Haviara), and took part as an actor in the second one. Inevitably, there was retrenchment in all areas, the company operated with the smallest possible cast, the cost of each production was reduced considerably.

Little by little, ETHAL is beginning to recover from the wounds and stand upright again. It is even recording remarkable successes to its credit which became talk of the town, like the productions of the plays: "Knife to the Bone" by Kostas Mourselas (who on this occasion came to Cyprus and attended the premiere), directed again by Nikos Charalambous, with Spyros Stavrinidis and Elena Efstathiou in the two roles, and "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett, staged by Andreas Pantzis.

In 1995 ETHAL entrusted the well-known Greek theatre and film actor Yiannis Voglis with the direction of the play "Vassilis Tsitsanis" by Mbambis Anagiotos. The production was a huge success with performances all over Cyprus, while the future for ETHAL seemed promising. The proposal that followed and the agreement that was signed was an inevitable consequence: Yiannis Voglis would be the new Artistic Director of the company, which began to see at least a little light at the end of the tunnel again.

This new experiment, unfortunately, lasts just as long as the previous one: only one theatrical season. It does, however, yield at least one major success, recorded in the company's assets. It is Arthur Miller's play " A view from the Bridge ", again directed by Andreas Pantzis, while Voglis himself for the first and only time participated as the leading actor.

“Knife to the Bone” by Kostas Mourcelas. Director: Nikos Charalambous. Sets / Costumes: Stavros Antonopoulos. Actors: Spyros Stavrinidis, Elena Efstathiou. Season: 1993/1994. ©Nicos Avraamides.

“The Other Sunday” by Spyros Papadogeorgou. Director: Andreas Pantzis. Sets / Costumes: Koulla Savvidou. Actors: Dimitris Xystras, Chrysanthos Chrysanthou. Season: 1990/1991. ©Nicos Avraamides.

After two artistically and financially difficult years, in 1999 the position of ETHAL’s Artistic Direction was taken over by the Greek director and theatrologist Minas Tigilis, editor of the theatrical review "Ekkyklima" in the 80s, who the previous year had directed the comedy "Tangled" by Nikolaos Laskaris. M. Tigilis, who in the period 1991-1996 has participated in the cultural "renaissance" of the city of Piraeus as director of the Municipal Enterprise for Cultural Development, proceeds to renew the artistic ensemble, applying the method of collaboration of well-known with young actors per project.

Among them are Dora Kakouratou, Pambos Xoufaridis, Kostas Kazakas, Kostas Demetriou, Eftihios Poullaidis, Thanos and Patricia Pettemeridou, Popi Avraam, Ioanna Siafkali-Kammenou, Polycarpos Polycarpou, Manolis Michaelides, Christos Papadopoulos, Elena Christofi, Zoe Kyprianou, Sotiris Mestanas, Andri Eymidou, Lukia Protopapa, Christiana Larkou, Katerina Kazantzis, Mara Constantinou, Marinos Anogyriatis, Maria Margetis, Nikos Nicolaides, Christiana Artemiou, Antonios Lapithiotis, Natia Charalambous, Marinos Hadjivassiliou, Loris Loizides, Petros Petrou, Vivian Nicolaidou, Salomi Aroditou, Danae Christou, Melina Marnerou, Haris Pissouriou and many others, coming from Limassol and all over the country.

At the same time, he "builds" the repertoire of the theatre, due to his previous experience, on the basis of a thematic axis per season. In 2000 he creates the Secondary Stage of ETHAL, presenting as the opening play, with the cooperation of the Armenian community of Cyprus, Richard Kalinoski's "The Beast in the Moon", directed by Varnavas Kyriiazis, who he became later Director of THOC, and at the same time introduces the concept of the consecutive pan-Cypriot premiere of the works presented by ETHAL. The repertoire is constantly balanced between comedies (usually at the Central Stage and on a summer tour) and contemporary European, American or modern Greek plays on the Secondary Stage. Works by Dialegmenos, Kampanellis, Staikos, Tsikliropoulos, Charitopoulos, Tsiolis, Antonis and Konstantinos Koufalis, etc. are staged, many of them are visiting Limassol, on the occasion of their premiere. Grigorios Xenopoulos' "Stella Violandi", Kapetanakis' "Vengera", Kalapothakis' vaudeville "The Green Dress" are also presented, "Angela" by Sevastikoglou, works by Mamet, Bellebelle, Labiche, Bernhard, Fassbinder, Ibsen's "Lille Eiolf", the Cypriot authors Niki Maragou, Mpampis Anagiotos (again), Nearchos Ioannou (twice), etc.

“The Green Dress” by Dimitrios Kalapothakis. Director: Minas Tigilis. Sets / Costumes: Clara Zacharaki – Georgiou. Season 2004/2005. ©Christos Avraamides.

“The Save (Noises Off)” by Michael Fane. Director: Nikos Armaos. Sets / Costumes: Angelos Angelis. Actors: Zoe Kyprianou, Christiana Artemiou, Minas Tigilis, Maria Margeti, Loukia Protopapa. Season: 2001/2002. ©Nicos Avraamides.

The RIALTO Theatre hosts the major and technically demanding productions of ETHAL, such as the well-known British comedy “Noises Off” directed by the Greek director Nikos Armaos and set by Angelos Angelis, "Stella..." by Kampanellis directed by Christos Siopachas, "The Karaggioz Servant (A Little of Everything)" by Antonis Mollas, the Irish social drama “Factory Girls” by Frank McGuinness, in a pan-Greek and pan-Cypriot premiere. The directors of the plays during this period are Polycarpos Polycarpou, Monica Vassiliou, Varnavas Kyriazis, Giorgos Mouaimis, Adonis Florides, Costas Demetriou, Eftihios Poullaidis, Vassos Argyrides, Elias Demetriou, Maria Mannaridou-Karsera and the Artistic Director of ETHAL.

The Children's/Youth Stage returns again to the Pattichio Municipal Theatre for the organization of mass school performances and "brings" to Cyprus well-known plays for children from Greece - such as those of Carmen Rouggeri, Yannis Kalatzopoulos, Nikos Kamtsis, Alkis Zei, Dimitris Potamitis etc.  At the same time, gives the opportunity to Greek Cypriot artists to present their original works at ETHAL (Loukas Prastitis, Xenakis Kyriakidis, Polina Thrasyvoulidou, for example)

Theatrical Education and Development

ETHAL as a theatrical development bearer, was not just limited in its main theatrical action, that is the production of plays, but set up broader goals regarding the theatrical and cultural development of the public in general. From April 1992 to May 1998 ETHAL organizes Theatrical Workshops, which include lectures and discussions on different aspects of the History and Theory of Theatre, including the theatrical practice. Established professionals have taught in these workshops among them Kostis Kolotas, Nikos Haralambous, Yiannis Katsouris, Monica Vasileiou, Despoina Mpempedeli, Michalis Pieris, Panos Ioannidis, Andreas Christofides, Michalis Christodoulides, Photos Photiadis, Vasos Argyrides, Ntora Tsatsou, Fanis Kakrides, Antonis Tsakmakis, Yiannis Voglis.

The theatrical workshop of the period 1996-1997 was focused on “Ancient Greek Drama” and taught by Antonis Tsakmakis, Yiannis Voglis, Kostis Kolotas, Theodoros Stylianopoulos, Polina Thrasyvoulidou, Xenia Panteli, Ermina Kyriazi, Elena Efstathiou, Andreas Melekis, Loula Kalogeraki. The respective workshop of the year 1997-1998 was focused on the direction of a theatrical play and in this concept F.G. Lorca’s “Yerma” was the play of interest. The facilitators of that workshop were Andreas Melekis and Elena Efstathiou and the play was presented by the students of the workshop in May 1998.

Since 1997 a theatrical workshop for children 6-15 years old was inaugurated and nowadays ETHAL’s workshops are consisted by three departments: for children, teenagers and adults. The very first facilitator of these workshops was the pedagogue, actor and director Loukas Prastitis, a former student of Lakis Kouretzis in drama games. Some of the facilitators in ETHAL’s workshops were Andreas Melekis, Elena Efstathiou, Eleni Mylona, Nadia Charalambous, Katerina Kazantzi, Photini Demetriou, Marinos Anogyriatis, Andri Evmidou, Marios Theocharous, Alexandros Stavrou, Koulla Loizou, Maria Kafkaridou, Sofia Karambataki, Andreas Protopapas, Chloi Melidou, Marina Vrondi.         

“A tree called Nicola” by Demetris Potamitis. Director: Edmond Nanoushi, Set/Costumes: Edmond Nanoushi. Actors: Christos Mboukouvalas, Annita Terzi, Andri Evmidou, Lefteris Skoutaris. Season: 1999/2000

Evolving Stages: ETHAL's Theatrical Journey

From humble beginnings to leading cultural innovator, ETHAL celebrates decades of artistic expression and community engagement in Limassol.

“The Underpants” by Carl Sternheim. Director: Nikos Charalambous. Sets / Costumes: Antis Partzilis. Actors: Chrysanthos Chrysanthou, George Mouaimis. Season: 1998/1999. ©Nicos Avraamides.

In 2003, ETHAL takes another bold step and moves from Praxis Theatre - which it had been using since 1991 - to the space granted by the Limassol Municipality, in its premises in Franklin Roosevelt, for 33 years.
There, two atmospheric halls are built (a 150-seat amphitheatrical and a smaller, circular, multi-purpose one with 60 seats), which are used for a variety of activities by ETHAL and other institutions that are hosted there. First operated the small hall, named COLUMBIA, because of the sponsorship by the offshore company of the same name to ETHAL, and then the larger hall, which serves mainly the needs of the Central Stage, while the company's offices are also housed in the same space.
From time-to-time lectures, literature events and musical evenings are held in the foyer. Some of them are "The Role of Theatre Criticism", "The Turkish Cypriot Theatre", "Young Greek Prose Writers in Limassol" and of course the very important events in honor of Bertolt Brecht in autumn 2006, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his death (a conference, a document’s exhibition, a theatrical and musical performance).

Since its foundation and until 2024, ETHAL with its two Scenes, has staged 155 plays of the international, modern Greek and Cypriot repertoire and, completing 35 years of life, has been established in the public's consciousness as one of the most consistent and remarkable theatre groups in the country. At the same time, all these years, the Children's Stage has been continuously present, staging exquisite works (more than twenty), offering the young friends of the theatre high quality entertainment.

In December 2008, the Limassol Theatre Development Company has completed twenty years of uninterrupted presence and celebrated this anniversary with a series of events of reflection and perspective with an ambitious repertoire (Papadiamantis, Strindberg, O'Neill, Assis Nesin, Aristophanes) and culminating in its 100th premiere with Bertolt Brecht's play “The little Mahagonny”. A two-day International Symposium for the Theater at the Boroughs was also organized and productions from Greece, Israel and Ireland were hosted. On the same year Theatriki Poreia Lemesou dedicated the edition of their theatre-themed diary to the 20-year long course of ETHAL and “to each and every one who envisioned and believed the need for the existence of a professional theater organization and have worked towards that goal all these years”.  

In 2019 the position of ETHAL’s Artistic Director is taken over by the actor-director Achilleas Grammatikopoulos. During a period of mainly financial challenges, due to, but not limited to, the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic, ETHAL stages plays of the contemporary European and Greek dramaturgy as well as of the classical international and Greek repertoire. Thus, for the first time presented on ETHAL’s stage the works of Georgios Viziynos, F.G. Lorca, Demosthenis Misitzis, Mark Mentoff, D. S. Jackson, Simon Stephens, Marta Buchaca, Carly Wijs, Vasilis Mavrogeorgiou, Dimitris Foutsias, Konstantina Delimitrou. Especially for the staging of Alan Bennet’s “Talking Heads” ETHAL recruits three different directors (A. Araouzos, P. Larcou, A. Papalazarou) to work with three different actors (F. Apostolides, P. Foiniri, P. Avraam) in a single performance and in 2022 includes the production of “The four legs of the table” in the celebrations of “Iakovos Kampanellis Year”.  

In 2023, on the occasion of the completion of 35 years from ETHAL’s foundation and on the occasion of the participation, in the production of “The murderess”, of the popular composer and Artistic Director of the Municipal Regional Theatre of Serres (DI.PE.THE Serron) Giorgos Andreou, ETHAL and DIPETHE Serron signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation. The Memorandum is an initiative of the two Artistic Directors and is supported by the Mayors of Limassol and Serres, Mr. Nicos Nicolaides and Mr. Alexandros Chrysafis, and aims on the reinforcement of the cooperation between the two Organizations as two hubs of cultural production in two “edging” districts of Hellenism, one on the North and one on the South, the first one being influenced by the Western Balkan multicultural environment and the latter with closer proxility to the East. For this reason, a delegation from the Municipality and DIPETHE Serron comes to Limassol and attends the official premiere of the production who took place in honor of the Memorandum’s signing.

“The little Mahagonny”: a song-play by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Director: Minas Tingilis. Sets: Christos Shiamaris. Costumes: Romina Polymniou. Actors: Marina Vrondi, Anna Papageorgiou, Diomidis Koufteros, Tzortzina Tatsi. Season: 2008/2009. ©Christos Avraamides.

“Talking Heads”: by Alan Bennett. Directors: Andreas Araouzos (“A Chip in the Sugar”)

Panagiotis Larkou (“Bed Among the Lentils”)
Alexia Papalazarou (“A Lady of Letters”) . Sets / Costumes: Elena Kotasvili, Alexis Vayianos. Actors: otis Apostolidis, Penny Finiri, Popi Avraam. Season: 2021/2022. © Christos Avraamides

” The Murderess”: by Alexandros Papadiamantis. Director: Marina Vrondi. Sets / Costumes: Yiorgos Yiannou. Actors: Savvina Georgiou, Niki Dragoumi, Mirto Kouyiali, Christina Kyriakou, Konstantina Xenophontos, Panagiota Papageorgiou, Marilia Charidimou. Season: 2022/2023. ©Yiorgos Yiannou.

Theatrical Odyssey:
From Limassol to Global Acclaim

Bridging cultures and communities through theatre, from Limassol to the world, fueled by innovation, collaboration, and steadfast municipal support.

“Vachae” by Evripidis. Director: Andreas Christodoulidis. Sets: Costas Kafkaridis. Costumes: Stavros Antonopoulous. Actor: Despina Mpempedeli. Season: 1997/1998. ©Christos Avraamides.

ETHAL has presented its work outside Cyprus: in England and Egypt (Cairo Experimental Theatre Festival) and in Athens in 1990, with the joint production of the Non-State Theatres of Cyprus, with Euripides' “Bacches” at the Herodes Conservatory. In addition, after the arrival of M. Tigilis in Limassol, ETHAL systematized its contacts with theatrical Greece with regular collaborations, tours in Athens, Thessaloniki, Veroia, Rhodes, as well as invitations to artists and companies from Greece.

On a historic moment for ETHAL, in September 2024 the summer production “Fiakas” was presented at the occupied side of Nicosia, as a result of contacts with Lefkoşa Belediye Tiyatrosu, and at Famagusta. Almost a month later, on October 13th 2024, “Fiakas” is presented in Istanbul, at the 6th International Theatre Festival of Maltepe.  

The Limassol Municipality, appreciating the importance of ETHAL as a basic hub of creativity and intellectual production in the city, has been supporting ETHAL in recent years with the participation of Municipal Counselors to the company's Board of Members and by co-organizing important events to the city.The steadier support from the Limassol Municipality, the consistency in financial and artistic management and its relations with the theatrical world have brought positive results.

ETHAL has acquired greater extroversion, consistency in production, resulting in a solid artistic identity and stigma, which, together with the upgraded promotion of its work, have led the company to a high position in the theatrical scene both in Limassol and the country in general. Furthermore, ETHAL created a partners’ network, which expands continuously. This network includes the Municipalities of Limassol County, Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), Patticheion Municipal Museum-Historical Archive, Open University of Cyprus, DIPETHE Serron etc.

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