And now what? Try a change of perspective? A change of mind? A change of self? A change of country? A play for those that are not able to enjoy a country as a place of safety, a place that will protect, reward and count them.
I WANT A COUNTRY is a Greek play which examines the aftermath of the financial crisis on a personal and collective level: the crisis today which has led to immigration, violence and the loss of social stability. The play considers whether the future will bring hope or despair. Its chorus-like structure makes it flexible for performance by any number of actors while its subject matter is undeniably universal, making it relevant for worldwide audiences.
Duration: 80 minutes.
Cast: Flexible
First Production : June 2013, Royal Court Theatre, Upstairs.
Translated by Alexi Kaye Campbell
Directed by Richard Twyman
Designer: Chloe Lamford
Video Designer: Benjamin Walden
Produced by: Elyse Dodgson, Chris James
Casting: Amy Ball, Lotte Hines
Set built: Richard Martin
Cast: Paul Chahidi, Mariah Gale, Dimitra Kreps, Meera Syal
Second production: Athens and Epidaurus Festival 2015
50 young Greeks actors and actresses take over the scene asking for their country; a dream country that is not easy to define, to be sure it can ever exist and more importantly to feel they can lay claim to it.
"With the phrase "I Want a Country" as his motto, Andreas Flourakis transcribes, with a sense of humour and despair, all those phrases that we hear, say and keep saying when we talk about our country today. In the performance, it is mostly the younger generation that speaks. This is a generation that is not sure what to do in the face of the crisis; that feels it must define the country it is dreaming of. But can there ever be such a country? And, more important, can this generation lay claim to it?"
Oxford University Greek Society and Praxis Theatre group present
"I Want A Country" (openning: THURSDAY 11th May 2017)
Directed by Anastasia Revi
Translation by PRAXIS
Set design Angeliki Xifara
Light design Yiannis Katsaris
Video and camera Thomas Zervos
Cinematografy: Yiannis Katsaris
Performed by lias Alexeas, Eirini Fasia, Harissa Helioti, Lydia Imirtziadis, Sevi Iosifidou, Achilleas Kapanidis, Alan Knapman, Evangelia Kougioumoutzi, Klery Kourouvani, Constance Kratsa, Nikos Mitakidis, Afroditi Pekou, Angeliki Xifara