PART TWO
The second part was led by the director Anastasia Revi. During the 4 weeks of devising the theatre production was developed through a collaborative process. The group used improvisation, worked with the different languages, exchange ideas and skills, wrote own texts and learnt different working methods from each other. Great inspirations were found in the diversity of cultural heritages, which was utilized in the shaping of the theatre production and gave it its particular energy and style.
The play Penthesilea by Heinrich von Kleist served as inspiration and basis for the `When Amazons WakeŽ. As no Greek translation existed of this play the director Anastasia Revi together with the Greek actors translated and adapted great parts of the play, which served as a narrative red thread throughout the performance and was similar to the ancient Greek tragedy structure.
The Amazons used their mother tongue as well as creating a highly physical and visual world of their single sex society. Further inspirations were taken from animals, the elements, research on practices of war, pictures, ethnic dances and the surrounding nature and mythology of Pelion, personal experience and a variety of texts.
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PART THREE
The final part of the program consisted of 6 performances. It was a very intensive as well as challenging time as the performances were held in 5 different locations throughout the mountain, Volos and Thessaloniki. The location ranged from a magical amphitheatre on the top of a mountain, to a village square, to a large amphitheatre in a deprived neighborhood to the renowned amphitheatre in Tessaloniki.
Each location demanded the performers and set designer to adapt to the site-specific requirements. This served as an excellent training ground for the artists to further their professional skills. They had to adapt the voice and movements from a 250 seat venue to a 2000 seat venue, stay flexible to the changes in set or lighting and encounter a diversity of audiences.They performed for local farmers, who have never gone to see theatre before to students, tourists, local artists and the theatre-experienced middle class. One performance was given to 55 Georgian orphans. The audience often stayed after the performance to discuss and meet the artists.
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OUTCOME
The residency and performances gave the participants the opportunity to learn new professional skills and be part of a unique and memorable experience. It provided an insight into a different culture and working in a challenging and unfamiliar environment. It has and will continue to influence and be processed in their professional and personal development and future endeavors.
One of the Greek actors moved to London to train here. Three of the participants planning to work together on a new project here on London. Another participant decided to make the step into producing their own show. ITCR received an invitation by the mayor of Agios Georgios to return next year. Interest from a producer to develop the show further and program a 4-week tour throughout Greece has been expressed. ITCR wants to use its new contacts with theatre venues and artists to produce a traveling workshop festival.
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