Hellenic Art Theatre’s opening weekend has brought audiences to another display of fine Greek Australian acting to the stage at Marrickville’s Greek Theatre Mantouridion.
Running from April 4 to May 4, Χριστόφορος Κολόμβος (Christopher Columbus) is a must-see theatrical event celebrating a compelling piece of work from Nikos Kazantzakis.
Director Stavros Economidis beamed with pride at the opening after successfully presenting his vision of Kazantzakis’ play. The director helped bring to life the famous explorer’s odyssey, touching on a powerful exploration of ambition, discovery, religion, monarchy and human resilience.
Sydney’s Greek community responded in kind, packed audiences underscoring how important Greek language theatre is to the successful Greek Festival of Sydney program – an inspiring cultural program that will run for several more weeks.
Chair of the Greek Festival, Nia Karteris echoed the value of local Greek theatre and the Greek Festival program when she spoke to Neos Kosmos on the opening night. Ms Karteris emphasised the importance of language and theatre to the community.
As kids, my parents would bring my sister and I to watch Hellenic Art Theatre productions, something that has been a family tradition for as long as Mr Economidis has been involved. This was important to my own Greek language development, as well as to many others in our community.
For those unaware, Hellenic Art Theatre (HAT) is a continuation of Greek Australian Theatre tradition that started with Chrysostomos Mantouridis, who passed away in 1980. Mantouridis was a Greek-Cypriot who migrated from Egypt in 1949, establishing the Hellenic Theatrical Group.
By 1983, many of the actors and team mentored by Mantouridis formed the current iteration. Hence the renaming of the theatre in his honour and the proud association of people such as the current director, Melpo Papas, Mimika Valaris (current stage manager) and many more. Economidis paid tribute to his mentor at the opening, reminding audiences that this show first premiered in Australia fifty years ago.
The Columbus in the 2025 version is played by the engaging Leonidas Ellinas in a powerful performance, supported by a stellar cast featuring John Daviskas who always brings his energy and charisma to the stage, as well as Polyzois Patelis, Dimitris Daviskas, Evelyn Tsavalas, Annette Carey, Foula Morfiadis, Jason Economides – who painted the amazing mural backdrops including one of Christ.
The cast seemed to have a great time on stage and in the lead in preparations, spending time at each other’s homes to rehearse. For Annette it was her first time on stage and has blossomed from her first rehearsal.
Productions such as these work with volunteers, be it the lighting or sound to the front of house people. People such as Freeda Economidis, Maria Georgiou, the beautiful Fotiadis family especially Thanasis, Petros and Konstantina Karavatakis, the Vertzayias family especially Costa Vertzayias, the Tsavalas family with Nick and Hayden involved for this production, Melba Papas, Anna Giovanaki, Christina Calligas, Peter Michalopoulos, Michael Falaras, Savvas Kyriakidis, Peter Vaneris, Dimitris Nicolaou (poster/programme illustration) and Chrissy Aroyan. Many of these volunteers have also acted in previous stage plays.
Evelyn Tsavalas has often told me how important all the volunteers and crew are to making any production a cultural success, especially for an opening weekend.
It is worth also noting that under the supervision of Stavros Economidis and Evelyn Tsavalas, HAT previously ran weekly Children’s Theatre Workshops free of charge for children aged between 6 -14, supporting Greek language in the community.
Tsavalas explains that the “workshops would help make children aware of the Greek language and culture, as well as helping with their personal development.” Some of these children have since graduated to the stage and there are plans to bring these workshops back in the future.
For those looking for Greek language theatre and an entertaining, thought-provoking production of the era of Columbus, the Greek Theatre Mantouridion is waiting for you. If Columbus can discover it, you can too.
For more info visit
https://greekfestivalofsydney.com.au/program/event/christopher-columbus-by-nikos-kazantzakis
https://www.hellenicarttheatre.com.au/
*Billy Cotsis is the author of Aristotle Roberto Carlos Smithopoulos, Amazon
