It was the first event taking place at the Fairfield Amphitheatre since it was granted Heritage Protection. And community response was no short of enthusiastic manifesting in sold-out attendance.

“I am really happy the play is performed in this space following the success of the campaign to protect the amphitheatre,” GOCMV President Bill Papastergiadis stressed when invited on stage by director Jeremy Artis.

READ MORE: Fairfield Amphitheatre granted Heritage Protection

Artis, along with the Creative Centre of Drama and Arts of the Greek Community of Melbourne Coordinator Katerina Poutachidou and a cast of 10 brought the outdoor space back to its roots presenting a monologue compilation as diverse as the team of creatives.

It ranged from classic play excerpts, to poems and songs.

Think Golfo followed by Tennessee Williams, Cavafy and Ritsos gems complemented by Turkish activist’s Aziz Nesin’s acclaimed ‘Silence, do not speak’, some Shakespeare thrown in the mix, and contemporary work M.A.I.R.O.U.L.A. meeting a beloved by many zeimpekiko.

“While there is no beginning, middle and end in the strict sense of the term, there is an emotional curve that we want the viewer to follow,” Artis explains in a recent interview with Neos Kosmos.

And judging by the crowd’s applause throughout the performance, it was mission accomplished.

In direct reference to its title ‘Μόνοι’ (Alone) the show itself was a ‘covid baby’ born and evolved during lockdown into a rare tribute to isolation, the landmark of the pandemic experience.

But the atmosphere during Saturday’s performance was anything but reminiscent of the pandemic.

A balmy Melbourne evening spent outdoors surrounded by people, while enjoying a much missed sensation: the goosebumps you get when attending live theatre.

Missed the premiere?
Catch the Creative Centre of Drama and Arts team performing ‘Μόνοι’ (Alone) on Sunday, 20 March, on the mezzanine floor of the Greek Centre. 
Director: Jeremy Artis
CD& A Coordinator: Katerina Poutachidou
Performers (in order of appearance): Syrmo Kapoutsi, Niki Skouri, Maria Bakalidou, Costas Stefanidis, Pam Pollali, Ioanna Gagani, Lemonia Shoina, Eleni Baveli, Jeremy Artis, Maria-Stella Papacheorgiou, Achilleas Kalanis.