Music, dance and theatre performances continue at Rialto Theatre with even more events taking place this May. At the beginning of the month is a critically acclaimed play based on the famous novel by Thomas Korovinis, Wall of Death.

On May 5 and 6, Aristos by Yiorgos Papageorgiou will bring to the stage nine characters connected to Aristidis Pagkratidis, the notorious Greek serial killer known as the Ogre of Seikh Sou. A neighbourhood friend, his mother’s chambermaid, the porter at the harbour, the kiosk keeper – a paramilitary traitor, a democratic gendarme, a conservative bourgeois, his boss at the fair, as well as trans Lolo and a pop singer – his two lovers, all come alive on stage incarnated by the three main actors to illustrate the killer’s profile.

Following a similar theme is another play by Theatro Antilogos titled The Lake Girls on May 11. Shedding light on the harsh topic of femicides, Michalis Papadopoulos’ new play brings to the surface a subject that remains hidden in the silence of the victims who experience violence in any way and at any cost.

tango legendsIn the middle of the month, infused Latin tunes will sound at the theatre as Macumba band celebrates its five-year anniversary with special guests. On May 15 the band will present a unique show with many guest participations of renowned musicians and music groups from all over Cyprus. Born in Cyprus, the band moves toward Latin, jazz and world music. The collaboration between Elias Ioannou, Giorgos Morfitis, Rodrigo Caceres and Rodos Panayiotou brings a new vibe to the music scene of the island. Afrocuban and Brazilian rhythms and colours become blended through a modern jazz aesthetic, and the result is recorded in their album Como Jugando, released in 2019.

Soon after a different kind of event will be hosted at Rialto. On May 17 at 6.30pm and 8.30pm, bytheway productions will present Spirit. Spirit in film, Spirit in object, Spirit in book, a video dance documentary, an interactive on-stage exhibition and a small book that open the creation process behind the durational performance SPIRIT, a four-hour dance marathon streamed live to the viewers’ personal screens during the first lockdown in 2020.

Then, an opera screening will take place on May 22 – La Traviata as recorded at London’s Royal Opera House. Verdi’s beautiful score contains some of his most inspired arias and duets. The Guitar Project with Dimitris Papangelidis will welcome numerous musicians on stage a few days later. The concert on May 27 will feature classical music and rembetiko songs played on the guitar and accompanied by a cello, two mandolins, a soprano and a jazz trio.

To wrap up the month and all the way from Argentina, the magnifying Tango Legends under the artistic direction of Μariela Maldonaldo and Pablo Sosa return to Cyprus with a new dance repertoire full of passion, eroticism, high aesthetics and virtuosity. A spectacular tango and music show will take place on May 28 and 29, celebrating the memorable work of Astor Piazzolla, the creator of Nuevo Tango, 30 years after his death.

May at Rialto. Tickets and details at www.rialto.com.cy