A Stage for the World: Cyprus International Theatre Festival Debuts
The cultural tapestry of Cyprus is set to be enriched with the launch of the 1st Cyprus International Theatre Festival, spanning from April to June. Limassol will play host to this grand event, featuring an array of performances that include both local and international premieres. The festival is poised to captivate audiences with a performance by the illustrious American actor John Malkovich, marking a significant highlight of the festival.
The festivities kick off with “Apocalypse Tomorrow,” a thought-provoking piece by Berlin’s Kirill & Friends, under the direction of Cannes laureate Kirill Serebrennikov. This premiere is scheduled for April 29 and 30 at the Pattihio Municipal Theatre, where six actors will take the stage to unfold the narrative.
Mid-May brings a unique musical show, “The Infamous Ramirez Hoffman,” co-created by Malkovich and French pianist Anastasya Terenkova. This hour-and-a-half performance delves into themes where aesthetics converge with ethics, inspired by the final chapter of Roberto Bolaño’s “Nazi Literature in America.” The show is a blend of storytelling and music, featuring compositions by Astor Piazzolla, Alfred Schnittke, and others, performed by a talented trio including violinist Alissa Margulis and bandoneon player Per Arne Glorvigen, with Terenkova leading on piano.
Malkovich’s portrayal of Carlos Ramirez Hoffman promises to be a riveting exploration of a writer’s controversial valuation of work over human ideals. The performance is set for May 15 and 16 at the same venue, with further acts to follow through to June.
The festival will conclude with productions from Polish director Ivan Vyrypaev and Cypriot director Paris Erotokritou, among others. The final curtain will fall on June 16 with “Mitcha Figa The Superfluous Man” by Israeli director Yehezkel Lazarov. Beyond the stage, the festival also offers a wealth of off-the-stage events including open talks, film screenings, masterclasses, and discussions.
Alexander Weinstein, director of the festival’s first edition, encapsulates the essence of theatre and the festival’s mission: to create a new theatrical brand for Cyprus and foster dialogue on existential themes such as fear, anxiety, tolerance, love, and understanding. He extends an invitation to all for an unforgettable theatrical journey.
For more information on the festival’s schedule and ticketing, visit www.citf.cy.
