Celebrating 35 years of THOK
A history of theatre on the island is presented in a new exhibition opening this week in Limassol
If Shakespeare got it right when he said that “all the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players,” then theatre would be one of the only forms of entertainment that comes close to showing us what’s real about the world we live in. In 1971 a small drama company emerged on the island that hoped to put across its own version of reality, dedicated also to ancient tradition and the philosophies of some of the greatest playwrights of our times. After intensive efforts by local groups and individuals, The Cyprus Theatre Organisation (THOK) was born.
By the turn of this century, THOK had become the biggest theatre group on the island, bringing audiences new and exciting productions each season. There have been over 300 productions since its establishment, with countless actors coming together to entertain audiences. At present, THOK operates main, new, experimental and junior stages, with regular shows at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre and frequent tours in other towns around the island. More than that, it has recently managed to guarantee itself a new building for the staging of its shows that’s set to be even more modern than some of the best theatres in Europe. Aspiring to give new life to theatre activities on the island, the nine million pound project, due to be complete in three years, has even been recognised in an English archaeology magazine as being among the finest in the world. Apart from theatrical performances, the building will be able to stage musicals, concerts, educational theatre programmes and conferences.
It hasn’t always been an easy ride for THOK. Its very first performance, Agamemnon, was given in 1971 at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre and in the summer of 1973, THOK took part in the Salamis Arts Festival, held for the first time at the ancient theatre of Salamis. The intention was that this would develop into an annual festival of the arts. It got off to a great start but in the summer of 1974, while playing A Tale Without a Name by Iakovos Kampanellis, THOK suffered a blow due to the Turkish invasion. Unable to perform locally, the theatre group had to look for an alternative way to survive.
Despite the uprooting of many of its employees and the fact that so many people had become refugees, THOK rallied its forces and set out on a tour of Greece. The organisation deposited the income from the performances that took place abroad in a fund specially set up for those who had suffered the effects of the coup and invasion.
Since then, the organisation has gone from strength to strength and can count a large number of productions among its achievements. In the 1990s, THOK’s performances proved particularly successful with shows such as The Magic Pearl, which marked the first time that techniques of black light theatre were used in Cyprus. The play also had the largest audiences of all productions for the Children’s Stage, attracting over 50,000 people. Then came some of the most elaborate and impressive costumes ever seen by Cypriot audiences with the staging of Macbeth in 1999. From Robert Harling’s Steel Magnolias to the classical Eleni by Euripides, the audience was transported from one world to another.
An exhibition opening up this Wednesday at the Evagoras Lanitis Centre in Limassol documents a historical journey from the time THOK took its first baby steps to the present day. Here you’ll have the chance to see some wonderful costumes, masks, stage props, photographs and promotional posters from years gone by. As he was putting the finishing touches to the exhibit, curator Stephanos Athienides seemed intent on shedding light on the secret world of theatre. “The exhibit isn’t just about what has been shown on stage, but also sheds light on the people who have worked behind the scenes, that often get lost in the background. From the scriptwriters to the musicians who dedicate their life to theatre, they all deserve their place in the limelight for once. But we aren’t just praising THOK through this exhibit, it’s also about the world of theatre in general – a life-long tradition that has survived through the ages.”
Children can also take part in educational programmes that will run alongside the exhibition. These programmes have been specially organised to encourage kids between 12 and 17 to learn more about the theatre through workshops and activities. While over 50 state schools have already arranged visits to the Lanitis Centre, organisers welcome interest from other institutions and schools to take part in the programme.
There’s nothing quite like all the magic of theatre when the red curtain draws open and a new drama is played out before you. If the world itself and all its excitement really can be compared to a theatre stage, then a visit to the upcoming exhibit should transport you through decades of action where comedy is intertwined with unexpected tragedy.
35 Years of Creativity by THOK
With costumes, stage props and photographs from theatre shows throughout the years. Opens January 24, until January 11. Evagoras Lanitis Centre, Vasilissis Avenue, Limassol. Monday-Sunday 9am-1pm and 4pm-8pm (except Monday afternoons). Tel: 25-342123. [email protected], www.lanitisfoundation.org
