Zorba’s Last Dance, a ‘real’ representation of Greeks on stage
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
Zorba’s Last Dance, a brand-new play starring Evangelos Arabatzis, Dimitrios Koutsoukos and Donna Dimovski-Kantarovski opens this week at La Mama in Melbourne.
The stage show tells two stories, one of the historical Zorbas, who one day appears to the author of the novel Zorba the Greek, Nikos Kazantzakis.
Fearing the eclipse of his true identity by the fictional Alexis Zorbas, he pleads with Kazantzakis for an accurate representation of his life.
It also tells a contemporary tale, with John, an actor who has received some terrible news about his health that forces him to re-evaluate what’s important in his life and thus, concludes that he needs to perform one last play.
But he needs his best friend and writer, Paul to write it. Paul however has lost his mojo.
Neos Kosmos spoke to actors Evangelos Arabatzis (who plays John and Giorgi Zorba) and Dimitrios Koutsoukos (Paul and Nikos) about their latest work.
“Dimitri and myself have known each other for years and have worked together on many film projects but this is the first time we’ll be sharing the stage together, which is an absolute thrill,” Arabatzis said.
“Our own dynamic has infused the characters of the play which makes this piece an absolute joy to perform.”
Koutsoukos added that “playing best mates in a play hasn’t been that hard. We know each other’s others work and the trust being already there is definitely a benefit.”
The play has a tragic-comedy feel with elements of absurdist theatre and modern realism as well. There’s also music, singing and dancing, so there’s something for everyone.
Greek/Macedonian music and the voice and singing of Donna Dimovski-Kantorovski (playing the second wife of Zorba Lyuba who he married in Skopje) adds another dimension to the work.
The two actors have been allowed some liberties with the work from writer Tom Petsinis, while director Rosemary Johns encouraged them bring out the cultural elements.
And that is exactly what they did.
In addition to the Zorba element, it explores a contemporary migrant Melbourne urban relationship between two lifelong friends.
“For me this is exciting as we get to represent ourselves in Melbourne theatre. The play is written by ‘us’ for ‘us’,” Koutsoukos said.
“We can bring an authenticity to these roles because of our cultural connections to the work.”
Arabatzis said this play may be a first for Melbourne and Australia, representing Greeks in way other than the ethnic comedy we have seen for years.
“We have two protagonists speaking and relating to each other in a naturalistic ‘ethnically Greek’ way of speaking that we may not have seen on stage, except in a satirical way.”
The play is also relevant for all, not just Greeks, dealing with relationships, identity and interpretation of factual information.
Zorba’s Last Dance opens on Wednesday July 31 at La Mama Courthouse in Carlton, running until August 11.
Bookings can be made here or call: 03 9347 6948
The original article: belongs to NEOS KOSMOS .
