Lessons in love
After success on the London stage, Manoramo Charms, a play about relationships will be staged in Nicosia next week
A young girl sits quietly in her room as she pours her thoughts into a book she is writing. Suddenly everything changes and the audience is transported into a completely different world as the mystical Manoramo Charms Caf? awakens. This is the performance that received rave reviews when it premiered in London last June, and was hailed “a brand new type of play” by Time Out London.
Manoramo Charms is staged by XO theatre Nova, the innovative company which emerged on the London scene in 2002 and has since developed a unique style, so far staging four successful productions at fringe theatres around London. The company now comes to Cyprus for the first time, as director and writer Xenia Orphanides explains that her work will always draw her back to her homeland. “I’ve shown my plays to big audiences in London but I’m so much more nervous about bringing it here,” she admitted. Why, I have to ask? “Well, there will be people I know in the audience and I’m scared that some may not be ready for such a gritty tale. I’m bringing something completely new to Cyprus. I think the younger generation is ready for it and I hope those a little older will be open to it too.”
On stage the play brings to life two very different worlds. One is magical, mythical, and dangerous. The other is amid a story of love that treads lightly and can fall apart at any given moment. As the performance begins the main character, Lana, with high aspirations and the determination to change things, starts to write a book. Immersed in the private world of her bedroom, the characters in the book suddenly jump to life and take over the story. “This symbolises a clash between the inner and outer world of the protagonist,” Xenia explains. As the three eccentric characters transport us to Manoramo Charms Caf?, Lana loses complete control. We then jump to another world where we see the relationship of Lana and Jason (another of the protagonists): both wanting the same thing, but never able to reach each other or touch the dream they are after. Lana is faced with a struggle, and for the first time in her life she’s asking what is real.
The style of the play is poetic with the use of rhythm and movement creating other dimensions while a simple story is being told. As the actors fuse together a performance full of colour, the audience is transported into a mysterious and almost surreal world, awakening dark secrets that can cause a stir. Some of the influences come from Ancient Greek theatre as Xenia explained, “we try and add a certain magic to our plays, where we focus on the supernatural, symbols and power.” While symbolisms and meanings run deep, the set on the other hand is very simple. “I don’t believe in lavish sets because I feel that all the fuss diverts attention from what’s actually happening. When there’s not much in the background the audience is forced to concentrate on even the smallest silences as they take on new meaning,” she said.
Likening the work to animated fine art, Xenia explained that she wants the audience to awaken their senses, be inspired and even dream in different ways. “When one looks at Van Gogh’s Sunflower or Edward Munch’s The Scream, these paintings might say something to the eye, but they touch depths that tell endless stories on other levels, as they take you on a journey to the unknown.” Focusing particularly on the lack of communication in relationships, this upcoming performance touches on many human truths. “It’s touching raw subjects of a woman lost and trying to find herself, power and how one can control a relationship in the wrong way. It’s also about how love can be misinterpreted and made negative. Love should be free and positive, it’s not about being a slave to it.”
Describing the play as a type of “black comedy” the audience should prepare for a performance that’s humorous and entertaining, but with a darker side. “This is the type of play that will definitely leave you with questions. I want the mind and imagination to run wild.”
Manoramo Charms
Written and directed by Xenia Orphanides. November 8, 9, 10. Melina Mercouri Hall, Nicosia. 7.30pm. www.xotheatrenova.co.uk. Email: [email protected]. Tel: 24 61111. In English.
