Festive end to an eventful year

The Rialto Theatre in Limassol has a packed schedule for the rest of December finds ELENI PHILIPPOU

A special cultural programme is coming up at Limassol’s Rialto Theatre to conclude another eventful year at the venue. Here’s what to expect in December.

Next up is a Greek adaptation of the acclaimed play Wuthering Heights, which will be presented on Tuesday. Anemona Theatre presents Irene Maradey’s theatrical adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel with eight actors on stage.

On Wednesday and Thursday, pelma.Lia Haraki celebrates 20 years of cultural productions by presenting The Bodies We Swore. The piece is based on the company’s archive and will develop throughout the evening based on the audience’s reflections and memories. Characters, songs and performative moments from the works will often interrupt the process.

Mid-December will welcome the first festive event. The Limassol Music School will present a Christmas concert in collaboration with the Rialto Theatre with the participation of the Symphony Band, the Improvisation Ensemble and the Music School’s Choir. On Friday, the theatre will be filled with festive songs and music.

On the following evening, Andre Rieu’s White Christmas concert will be screened – an annual event that is highly anticipated. The 7pm live broadcast will bring the season’s spirit with the Johann Strauss Orchestra performing Christmas carols, romantic waltzes and beautiful songs from all over the world. Besides the concert, the screening also includes exclusive backstage access as cinema host Charlotte Hawkins speaks with André about creating his musical winter wonderland.

On December 17, the Epilogi Cultural Movement will present the hilarious Satanerie operette by Theophrastos Sakellaridis – a morality play that contrasts hell with paradise. Narrating the story of Andreas, an unfortunate fellow at the crossroads of virtue and evil, the play satirises the relevant yet timeless impunity when the character decides to choose Hell after having received a tour to the underworld from Satan himself.

A few days before Christmas, the Kyrenia Opera will add to the season’s atmosphere with a concert on December 22. Award-winning sopranos Elena Patsalidou and Angelique Savvas, along with bass-baritone Andreas Zenios and boy soprano Cristian Ionel will perform, joined by the Ipsonas Municipality Children’s Choir

A live broadcast from The MET will follow on December 23 screening Florencia en el Amazonas, a 1996 opera by Daniel Catán. This is a new production by Mary Zimmerman that brings the mystical realm of the Amazon to the Met stage and now to Limassol’s big screen as well.

The final production of the year is Evie Demetriou’s Say Yes! Again and Again, a performance exploring topics of identity and gender in a playful and empowering way. Two performers on stage, through physicality and linguistic forms, will share personal experiences that shaped them as persons to explore social norms, queer subjectivities and normative pressures. The performance will be presented on December 28.

December at Rialto Theatre

Music, theatre and dance performances. Throughout December. Tickets and details at www.rialto.com.cy