Play to remind us what is at risk of vanishing

Things vanish all the time. Objects, memories, nature, epic poems, animals and even humans. A new play by the theatre group à vendre arrives to invite audiences to hold onto what is at risk of disappearing, hence its title Hold it Down Until Dawn. Directed by Maria Varnakkidou and conceptualised by Kyros Papavassiliou, the play in Greek has premiered in Nicosia and is on for just a handful of performances.

Through an allegorical narration, the play explores the triptych of humans, nature and technology. “What would happen if someone started to walk for months towards the unknown, without saying where they’re going and why they left?” asks the play. “How would we confront something that we don’t understand its use? How would we interact or speak with someone whose form we cannot recognise? Can we see the deeper value of all these things that we don’t recognise, while we are trapped like machines in our daily routine that interprets humans and sentient beings as utility objects ready for use?”

The performance is taking place in a very unique space – Phytorio in the heart of the Nicosia Municipal Gardens, which currently is under the supervision of The Visual Artists and Art Theorists Association. The ongoing play was designed for the specific space.

Just two actresses will take the floor, Elena Kallinikou and Marina Makris, who contributed to the script along with Papavassiliou. The audience will see and hear the two actresses go through different roles to execute the needs of the narration. With an abstract approach and profound concepts, Hold it Down Until Dawn is a poetic theatre performance from which each audience member can take away something different.

Hold it Down Until Dawn

Play performance directed by Maria Varnakkidou and conceptualized/written by Kyros Papavassiliou. September 21, 24,25, 26. Phytorio, Nicosia Municipal Gardens. 8pm. €12. In Greek. Tel: 7777-7040, 97-813981. Tickets from www.tickethour.com.cy