There will be a second performance of the theatre and music production, Twenty Two by the Creative Drama & Arts Centre of the Greek Community of Melbourne.
The performance explores the events of the year 1922, a significant year in Greek history due to the Asia Minor Catastrophe and the Greco-Turkish War.
In 1922, the Asia Minor Catastrophe and the Greco-Turkish War resulted in the forced expulsion of 1.2 million Greeks from their indigenous home in Asia Minor, now Turkey; it led to a major shift in Greek history and identity.
Through mournful songs, refugee testimonies and extracts from various books and plays, the audience will be taken on a journey from Greek Asia Minor homes and shops in the early 1920s, to an Athenian refugee shack in the mid-1950s.
The production narrates the hardships of Greek refugees who were forced to leave their homes and lands for the unknown. The phrase, “One night we were citizens in our homeland and the next day we were refugees begging,” encapsulates the essence of the refugee experience.
This simple yet powerful statement speaks to the heart of everyone who has been forced to leave their homeland for an uncertain future.
Despite the tragedy, the production celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. The idea that this could be the foundation stone for a fresh beginning in a new land is a drop of hope that can inspire anyone facing hardship to keep pushing forward.
Twenty Two is directed by Melbourne-based director Jeremy Artis and it premiered in December 2022. The second performance of the production, which is in Greek with English live-captions, has been enhanced with extra acts and performers, including the well-known Greek-Australian actor Antonios Baxevanidis.
The cast includes Antonios Baxevanidis, Athina Giannou, Giannis Lyris, Jeremy Artis, Ioanna Kothroula, Lemonia Shoina, Maria Bakalidou, Nicky Skouri, Pam Pollalis, Panos Apostolou, and Syrmo Kapoutsi. The production is accompanied by a talented group of musicians.
When: Saturday, 22 April, at 7:30pm and on Sunday, 23 April at 5.30pm
Where: Clayton Community Centre, Melbourne.
Tickets: $25 and can be purchased online at https://www.trybooking.com/CHJMQ
