Greek Community of Melbourne’s adult drama group of Creative Drama & Arts Centre is staging a new one-off performance on Friday, in the Greek language.
Following the success of their last project «Είδα Φως και Μπήκα, η Κλασσική Επανάσταση της Νεφέλης» (I saw light and entered – Nefeli’s Classical Revolution), based on a research tapping into Ancient Greek Tragedy archetypes, director Steve Grapsas has decided to focus on a more contemporary perspective, hence the name of the new play, Περσπέκτιβ (pəˈspɛktɪv).
Περσπέκτιβ, is a very well thought-out project based on collective effort and an autoschediastic principle; building on improvisation and interaction until a storyline is created that resembles real life.
A cast of 21 people from all walks of life that all identify as Greek Australians, attempt to formulate a perspective (Περσπέκτιβ) though individual stories that are either unique or common, yet still an integral part of the modern Australian society and specifically of the Hellenic community Down Under.
Neos Kosmos welcomed Steve Grapsas amidst hectic rehearsals and preparations for a Q&A, in order to shed some light on this new show and how his own personal course through stage arts and humanitarian work impacted his creative vision.
When did you first delve into the stage arts?
Born in Melbourne to Greek migrants in 1969, my first contact with theatre was in 1979 when the Greek Community of Melbourne started the first children’s theatre group which was based in the Greek Community building in Lonsdale Street. I was 10 years old.
How long have you been directing in Melbourne? Have all your works been in the Greek language?
Directing in Melbourne came when I returned from Greece where I was living for 18 years between 1995 to 2013.
I started directing in Greece first, at the Hydrama Theatre and Arts Centre where I was the resident director between 2003-2013. Working with students, teachers, amateur and professional actors in English.
Back in Melbourne, ‘Heroes of the Past and Present’, was a show I directed with three actors with intellectual disability and was performed in English in 2017.
I have worked with the Greek Community Schools for migrant students from Greece (City and Malvern campuses). In 2016 the city campus, all 150 students performed Homer’s Odyssey. In 2017 we worked and presented memories from Greece in a performance called ‘Θυμάμαι Πάντα’, in both campuses.
How did the idea for Περσπέκτιβ come about and why did you choose that name/Greeklish writing?
Perspective in our lives is something that I consider of utmost importance as it allows us to appreciate more what we have and at the same time strive to achieve what we have lost. In our performance this Friday we see a series of scenes which most of us will be able to relate to, as it depicts some aspects of Melbourne life. At the same time there are moments where the ensemble present the greater picture of things going on around us. This contrast highlights the perspective we seem to be missing.
So – in answering part of the previous question as well – some work has been done in Greek and some in English but I do prefer working and hearing the Greek language.
How did the cast and script for this project come together?
There are 21 people in the cast, including George Sklavos the sound and light technician, Eleni Boukouvala and Andy McKinnon that are the assistant directors.
I did not choose the cast; the group is made up of people who have recently come from Greece and some who are born here of Greek background. The group come together once a week to research and experiment aspects of human psyche using theatre techniques, thus gaining a better understanding of others around them and ultimately themselves. Each one of them proposed texts for the pieces they present in the show. It is exactly why this collaborative process makes more sense with this group than simply putting on a Skakespeare or Aristophanes for example.
Do all those individual stories and points of view eventually form one ‘Περσπέκτιβ’?
The group’s new project essentially focuses on small everyday moments easily identified by everyone; these scenes are more or less relatable. The aim here is to project this behaviour, our behaviour, in such a way that makes it obvious how much we’ve all strayed from the true essence of our existence that is freedom. Sometimes, in looking into the mirror and through the image that is projected we become faced with the deep-rooted issues that affect us. Those small everyday scenes and interactions are in conflict with images we are constantly bombarded with from the world around us. Whilst we do see those images we pretend they don’t exist. It is beyond doubt that not we are not all in a position to help alleviate the suffering of others or change what is happening to our fellow people on the other side of the world, however, we can and should hold an opinion, or a stance rather, drawing from another’s experience. Said experience is valuable in that it can become a lesson and spur change the very way we live our life, our perspective.
When: Friday 13 April at 8.00pm
Where: South Oakleigh College, Bakers Rd, Oakleigh South VIC
Tickets are $15. For bookings email: theatre@greekcommunity.com.au