Greek Events Melbourne May 2009
The Arts Centre's Mix It Up and FULL TILT in association with Multicultural Arts Victoria present
CAFE REBETIKA! An epic story of the heart.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Cafe Rebetika! is an epic story of the heart; a passionate and uplifting theatre production which tells a dramatic love story set in the slums of 1930s urban Greece. Cabaret, music, theatre and dance unite in this new work, which explores the exotic and gutsy sub-culture of Greek rebetika, also known as ‘the Greek Blues'.
With a cast of musicians, anarchists, refugees, communists, prostitutes and mangas, Café Rebetika! dramatically unravels the love story of Areti and Stavrakas. All of the characters connect through their passion for life and defiance to survive, together creating a utopia. This highly anticipated new work is a deeply moving depiction of the underbelly of Greek urban-folk culture, the birth of an enduringly popular musical form and a searing love story which resonates into our times.
Cafe Rebetika! features a stellar cast of seven with music by Rebetiki, led by Achilles Yiangoulli. The production is conceived and directed by Stephen Helper with lighting design by Tony Award winning designer, Nigel Levings.
CAFE REBETIKA! CAST PROFILES
STEPHEN HELPER (Director/Co-Producer/Co-Writer) has 25 years of production credits from Darwin to Broadway, including: Fiddler On The Roof, Smokey Joe’s Café, Simply Weill-A Kurt Weill Cabaret, The Firebugs by Max Frisch, Follies by Stephen Sondheim (Sydney Opera House) and many others. Following Cafe Rebetika! , Stephen will head to Broadway to direct/co-produce the play Syncopation.
TONY NIKOLAKOPOULOS has had an impressive career as an actor, director, writer and producer. Tony's television credits include Pacific, Underbelly, All Saints, City Homicide, Stingers, Blue Heelers, Sea Change, Janus and many others. Equally impressive are his film credits: Head On, The Independent, The Wog Boy, The Extra, Tom White, and award winning short films. He has appeared in The Spook (Malthouse), Wog Story (Thirdcosta Productions), and more recently Las Vegas The Musical at the State Theatre in Sydney.
LAURA LATTUADA has worked for MTC, STC, Melbourne Workers Theatre, Red Stitch, The Malthouse, Doppio Teatro, La Mama, Theatreworks, Areana & Belvoir St. Theatre. Following professional stints in London and Italy, Laura has worked as drama lecturer and theatre director. Laura's television work includes Stingers, Good Guys/Bad Guys, Halifax and Neighbours; she has also worked in radio with ABC Radio National and RETE Italia.
KATERINA KOTSONIS has a diverse body of work in theatre, television and film. Her theatre credits include Cruel and Tender (MTC), Born Yesterday (MTC), The White Rose (Midsummer Festival) and Forty Lounge Café (La Mama). Her television and film credits include Very Small Business, Short Cuts, The Secret Life of Us, Blue Heelers, Wildside, The Games, Acropolis Now, Waiting at the Royal and Head On.
ACHILLES YIANGOULLI (Musical Director) and his Greek blues band Rebetiki have appeared on Greeks On The Roof, Spicks and Specks and at many festivals. Achilles fuels his passion for fusing contemporary and traditional Greek music with his ARIA winning band the haBiBis, as well as his side projects Ananke and Eurotrash Taxim.
Cafe Rebetika! is proudly supported by Neos Kosmos and Laiki Bank. The Arts Centre's MIX IT UP program celebrates the cultural diversity of Victoria through music, dance and theatre from around the world.
Café Rebetika! 22 April - 9 May, 2009 @ the Arts Centre, Fairfax Studio
Ticket prices $30 - $50 on sale now at theartscentre.com.au, 1300 136 166 and ticketmaster outlets.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Sophie Best tel: 0401 704 415 sophiebest@optusnet.com.au |
