A video by Andreas Skourtis and Panagiotis Andrianos
Presented at the Prague Quadrennial 2019, Performance Space Exhibition ‘Our Theatre of the World’
In Prague 6-16 June 2019
….
London, May 2018
In Chiliomodi, a small town near Corinth in Greece — my place of birth.
Theatriki Skini is a theatre group formed by local people, none of whom are theatre professionals except myself and the director, Christos Tsirtsis. It was established at the very beginning of a long and difficult financial crisis, out of a collective need to make dreams happen — to make theatre, no matter what.
I have been the group’s scenographer and architect from the very start.
The performance architecture of Theatriki Skini consists of two spaces — or rather, two buildings that together form a single performance space.
An old warehouse is transformed into a temporary, ephemeral outdoor performance space for one summer production each year. It comes alive every summer.
In addition, in 2015, a space in the centre of the town was redesigned as a small indoor theatre. It is now the group’s permanent home and hosts smaller productions during the winter. It lives throughout the year.
These two performance spaces define the group’s existence in many ways. Without them, the group would not be sustainable — or might not exist at all. Performance space is an inseparable part of the group’s collective biography.
The cultural landscape of the town has been transformed by the presence of the group, and by the conversion of these two buildings into performance spaces.
In this video, filmed in February 2018, I revisit both theatres and invite members of Theatriki Skini to gather for a reflective conversation inside the indoor theatre.
How has performance architecture — and my involvement — contributed to making their dream possible?
How do they feel about their performance space?
What architecture is important — and what architecture is not?
Video Direction: Andreas Skourtis, Panos Andrianos
Produced by: Performing Architectures – Andreas Skourtis
With the support of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama – University of London
All photos by Michalis Andrianos – © Performing Architectures, Andreas Skourtis
Members of Theatriki Skini Chiliomodiou that appear in the video:
Christos Tsirtsis, Director
Konstantinos Tsoumanis, Gardener
Dimitris Andrianos, Merchant
Mania Chrysomallidou, Sculptor
Giorgos Kanellos, Taxi Driver
Anastasia Lafkioti, Winemaker
Giorgos Tsoumanis, Firefighter
Dimos Laskas, Professor Social Studies
Manto Giokari, Employee
Giorgos Tsoumanis, Farmer
Christos Parham, Sales Representative
Spyros Mpoumpas, Design Technician
Marina Kanellou, Economist
Paraskevi Mpintakou, Beautician
Spyridoula Tsoumani, Conservation Technician
Panagiota Vourvopoulou, Civil Servant
Video Direction: Andreas Skourtis, Panos Andrianos
Cinematography: Panos Andrianos, Michalis Andrianos
Video Editing: Panos Andrianos
Produced by: Performing Architectures – Andreas Skourtis
With the support of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama – University of London