Relationship between a Greek and Turk sets scene for comedic commentary

A comic and thought-provoking tale, caught in between two worlds, is coming to Limassol next month. Following its staging at the Athens Epidaurus Festival in 2021 in the framework of the 1821 Bicentennial tribute, where it received critical and audience acclaim, the surrealist comedy The Republic of Baklava will be presented on Rialto Theatre’s stage on May 18, 19 and 20.

The play is an unexpectedly hilarious theatre mockumentary directed by Anestis Azas, which, despite drawing inspiration from the 1821 Greek Revolution, is set in the modern-day, digital world, exploring issues of identity and politics through today’s perspective.

The story follows Sophia and Fatih, from Greece and Turkey respectively, two young people who met and fell in love with each other while studying in some Western country. When the couple decides to establish their business, a baklava shop located in the historical city of Mesolongi, they are forced to confront the traditional hostility of their countries and decide to declare their business ‘an independent state’. A romantic venture, doomed to fail.

A group of ‘researchers’ are invited on stage to reconstruct the history of this tiny nation, its birth, conflict and heritage. Through a number of imaginary, surrealist and comic situations, the two young people are longing to become unshackled from the eternal stereotypes of their counties and to invent a new identity for themselves.

The Republic of Baklava

Theatre mockumentary directed by Anestis Azas. May 18, 19 and 20. Rialto Theatre, Limassol. 8pm. €12. With Greek and English overtitles. www.rialto.com.cy