Greek elegance meets Australian courtesy in the face of Elena Carapetis, an exceptionally talented and creative actress who, since childhood, was aware that art and theatre would escort her throughout her life journey.
Constantly immersed in theatre and creative writing, the award-winning Greek Australian actress makes her debut in writing, presenting her first theatrical play The Good Son, which strives to tell a challenging and diverse story whilst looking into human relationships.
The play revolves around the life of a young man, who is tortured by his loyalty towards his mother, proving fatal for his personal life. The man is trapped between the physis of the relationship with his mother and his love for a fragile young woman.
When asked whether she leans towards acting or creative writing as a preference, Elena admits that she feels like she is being “unfaithful” to acting, but her need to express her thoughts and experiences is overpowering.
“It’s almost like you are asking me to choose my favourite child and admit loving one more than the other,” Elena Carapetis tells Neos Kosmos.
“I am unable to focus on one only. To me they are both equal.”
It took her six years to complete her play and to feel ready to present her work on stage.
“I have written a play about a very specific world I know, but I don’t see this as a Greek play,” she explains.
“This is my version of an Australian tragedy.
“It’s the result of being told Greek myths and learning about Ray Lawler at school. It collides everyday people with Medea, if she lived in Australia in the early 21st century,” she admits.
Elena still reflects on the day her close friend and award-wining director, Corey McMahon, offered to direct The Good Son. Manda Webber is also part of this production, while Jason Sweeney and Ben Flett are responsible for the music composition and engaging lighting respectively.
“I was concerned, out of respect, mainly to the extremely talented writers of the last decades, to present an incomplete piece of work.
“I wanted everything to be perfect and it is a real honour for me to work with Corey and an exceptionally talented cast of actors who agreed to give life to my story,” Elena muses.
The story, which unfolds on the stage in real time, is inspired by true events, exploring the close bond that Frank – the main character, played by Renato Musolino – shares with his migrant mother, Meda, who is played by actress Eugenia Fragos.
The relationship between the two becomes even more unclear as Ana (Adriana Bonaccurso), a young and sensitive woman, comes into Frank’s life. The ensemble production also features actor Demitrios Sirilas in a catalyst role.
Their lives converge at the perfect moment.
Frank has finally found a reason to free himself from his family ties that have been suffocating his dreams.
However, Meda harbours a dark secret that threatens to crush Frank’s dreams whilst destroying her own life.
“I am not a mother, therefore, with all due respect, I took the courage to write a funny and electrifying play that explores the idea of family, loyalty and the lengths we go to change the cards life has dealt us,” Elena states.
“I just wanted to showcase how hard and challenging motherhood can be and how toxic the relationship between a mother and a child can become, if one makes the fatal error to mistake control for unconditional love.”
She firmly believes that audiences, regardless of their ethnic or social backgrounds, will connect to the universality of her story.
“I am not interested in criticising any of the characters in the play,” she explains.
“I am keen to portray their different personalities through their experiences, which ultimately translate into their actions.
“What gives me particular pleasure is that I will be able to showcase my first play in my hometown, Adelaide, a city which always embraces arts and theatre and encourages new talent,” Elena says.
Regardless of whether The Good Son is a result of Elena’s personal need or a product of her artistic expression, the essence of the story lies in one question.
Does anyone actually posses the ability to love unconditionally beyond fear and remorse, whilst remaining true to oneself, coexisting in a demanding ever changing world?
Elena invites us on a journey of self-exploration.
The Good Son, which will be staged at The Bakehouse Theatre in Adelaide from Wednesday 8 – Saturday 25 April, is supported by Arts SA through the Independent Makers.