  | CHYPRE / CYPRUS | |
Population: 600 000
Telephone Code: 357
Address:
38, Regaena Str.
1010 Nicosia
Tel: 22-67 49 20
Fax: 22-68 08 22
Email: ccoiti@cytanet.com.cy
Website: www.cyprus-theatre-iti.org
Opening hours-Horaires:
09.00-13.00 / 16.00-19.00
Board Members:
Pres.: Christakis GEORGIOU
Sec.Gen.: Costas HADJIGEORGIOU
Treasurer: Lena SPANOU
Members:
Klitos IONANNIDES
Costas HADJIGEORGIOU
Maria AVRAAMIDOU
Elena MAXOUTI
Michaella KOUTOUMANOU
Staff-Personnel:
Acting Director : Neophytos NEOPHYTOU
Secretary : Panayiotis CHRISTOU
Nbr of Members: Individual -134
Date Centre founded: -Nov-1977
ITI Committee and Project Group contact persons:
CIDC: Nicos Shiafkalis, Playwrights: Christakis Georgiou
Role & Services:
Booking theatre tickets often free.
Providing contacts with theatre officials, cultural authorities, festival organizers, producers,etc.
General information about theatre.
Helping with observing rehearsals and providing contacts for opportunities to unpaid assistant work.
An ITI card is usually required.
Activities & Events:
One of the Centre's main activities is the publication of the Year Book,which covers all theatre activity in Cyprus,with photographs and details of productions. The book is bilingual (Greek-English) and it is being sent to individuals and theatre organizations at home and abroad.
The Centre organises lectures, debates, seminars, symposia and exchange of delegations with other countries.It also promotes the solution of problems such as the increase of subsidy to the free theatre, the abolition of theatre tax, the implementation of the Recommendation of the Status of the Artist, the creation of the National Drama School and a Theatre Museum and Library.
The Cyprus Centre has one permanent committee functioning, that of the Cultural Identity and Development.
The Centre is run by a nine person member administrative committee which is elected every two years by the general assembly.
The resources of the Centre come from subscriptions and subsidies from the Ministry of Education & Culture ,the Cyprus Theatre Organization and the private sector.
Newsletter title-Titre du bulletin: THEATRICA NEA
Other Publications:
THEATRE IN CYPRUS
INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ANCIENT GREEK DRAMA
Other Information:
"Theatre in Cyprus" (published by the Centre) and Cyprus Today (a quarterly magazine published by the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture).
List of forthcoming premieres.
With some difficulty,lists of main theatres which accept touring productions.
Specific information sought from other Centres: Ideas and ways for fundraising.
The Cyprus Centre of the International Theatre Institute was founded in November 1977. A general asembly of actors, directors, playwrights, musicians and other theatre artists approved the charter of the Centre and elected the first Executive Committee.
The Cyprus Centre of ITI has now 134 members of the Cyprus theatre community. It enjoys international prestige and is regarded as an active member of the ITI. Its suggestions for the general policy of the ITI are always constructive.
Within the frame work of the I.T.I, the Cyprus Centre has established bilateral relations and promotes exchange of information,artists and performances.
On the national level the Centre has been a pressure force for theatre development (subsidies for the theatre, bilateral exchanges,participation of theatre artists on committees which formulate theatre and national policy).
The basic philosophy of its strategy is the sensitization and the turning of the attention of those dealing with social and cultural development to the importance of the live theatre in the life of people and nations.
For the implementation of this strategy the Cyprus Centre pursues the promotion of measures which help the development of the free theatre creativity.
Recent Theatre History CYPRUS updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005 |
When Cyprus won its independence in 1960, a spirit of euphoria was everywhere. It was from this sense of new-found freedom that the New Theatre was formed in Nicosia. In an attempt to encourage state assistance to the arts, the various theatre troupes formed themselves into a single major company called OTHAK, a name which stood for the Cyprus Organization for Theatrical Development. Because of financial problems, the high-minded aims of OTHAK soon faded and the company renamed ETHOS had to revert to light comedies and satirical revues to attract audiences and to meet rising costs. In 1966, the company began to face direct competition from still another group PAPADEMETRIS CO founded by Demetris Papademetris (b.1936)- which was doing more or less the same kind of work. In December 1963, the new Cypriot government faced its first serious political challenge, one which culminated in intercommunal clashes across the island. Theatre people were caught in the middle of this struggle and literally had problems standing on their feet. Despite this, two young directors, Vladimiros Kafkarides(1932-1983) and Nicos Shiafkalis (b.1934) both connected to OTHAK, chose to establish new theatres at this time. In 1971 the Theatre Organization of Cyprus (THOC) was formed with the Athenian actor and director Nicos Hadjiskos as its Artistic Director. Equally important at this time was the emergence of the Cyprus Boadcasting (CBC) which since independence had played a leading role in promoting theatrical art radio and television. Another group of note at this time was the Experimental Stage in Nicosia. Founded in 1972, the company experimented both with new plays and new styles of production. Operating a 70-seat theatre in an old house in a suburb of the city, the group gave regular performances. Its Artistic Director was Evis Gabrielides. In 1974 ,the island was invaded by Turkey, a shattering blow to many fields of activities Overnight, the Rebublic was deprived of 35 per cent of its territory and 45 per cent of its resources. A third of the island's 600.000 population was turned into refugees who suddenly had to be fed and housed. Everything from the Experimental Stage to THOC was on the edge of dessolution. What is important to understand in the function of THOC is that its role was not just to be a theatrical producing organization but also a catalyst for theatrical development across the whole profession. The 80's had been a turbulent decade for theatre affairs.After ten years of production THOC was criticized for only fulfilling one aspect of its destination - that of a production company - neglecting development aspects. Many columnists in the dailies and non-governmental organisations criticized THOC for monopolising the state subsidy exclusively for its own productions. During the late 80's a number of non-profit "free" groups came into being and THOC was responsible for developing guidelines for state financial and technical assistance. The Government of Cyprus and the House of Representatives, (the budget of THOC has to be approved by both the legislative and the executive powers) responded to the demand for theatre decentralization to all parts of the island production and building-wise. THOC promoted this demand by granting subsidy to the three existing theatre groups in Nicosia, SATIRICO, THEATRO ENA and ETHAL (ETHAL=LIMASSOL THEATRE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY) Limassol, the second biggest town in Cyprus and SCALA THEATRE in Larnaca. The development policy of THOC is reflected in the growth and disposal of its budget. The state assistance of THOC which was 180.000 dollars in 1971, is now about 5.000.000 US dollars. Four millions go for the State Theatre and 1.000.000 for all the rest. There were no spectacular changes in the Cyprus theatre landscape during the last two years (2001-2). THOC continued to be the focal point of theatre production as well as the funding body for theatre development. THE NEED FOR THEATRE MARKETING The Cyprus Centre has noted that the theatre audiences are currently thinning year by year, to an alarming degree. The so called "free theatre" is slowly dying out. All three theatre companies have already closed down. The subsidised theatre companies are also facing financial problems which don't give them much room for development. The state theatre survives only on the state subsidy which is a total of 4.000.00 Cyprus Pounds, out of which 3.500.000 goes to the Statge Theatre (THOC) and the remaining 400.000 Cyprus Pounds to the other four subsidised theatres. Theatre development therefore can only be sought in increase of the theatre audiences. But how can this aim be achieved ' The answer to these questions is not so simple. One should first answer the question why are audiences constantly thinning. Could it be that the mass media entertainment programmes keep the audiences in front of the television set or could it be that the theatre product in its present form does not sell ' A recent survey of the available data has proved that only about 1% of the adult population visit the theatre halls. And this percentage is divided between what we would call the theatre of "elitism" (high brow) and what could be called "populist" theatre (low brow). This means that 99% of the adult population for some reason or other abstain from going to the theatre. In this case the new theatre policy should be in the direction of atracting or rather fishing within this area of the 99% of the population which does not go to the theatre. |
National Representatives of Theatre INGOs CYPRUS updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005 |
| F.I.A, N. Neophytou,Theophanous 5,, Pallouriotissa, Nicosia 2018, Tel: 22-437 443, Fax: 22-439 130 |
(Ministères, organismes publics, associations professionnelles) Main organisations concerned with theatre (Ministries, organizations, unions, professional associations) CYPRUS updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005 |
| Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education Culture, Kimonos & Thoukidede, 1434 Akropolis, Nicosia Tel: 22-800 933, Fax: 22-680 822, Contact: Dr. Stelios Hadjistyllis Comments: Responsible for all theatre activity in Cyprus |
| Society of Cypriot Playwrights, Nicosia Tel: 22-522 000, Contact: Toula Kakoulli |
| Theatre Organization of Cyprus, 2, Liberti- Halkanoros, 2000 Strovolos, Nicosia Tel: 22-492 900, Fax: 22-492 923, Contact: Andy Bargilly |
| Actors Union, P.O.Box 5018, Nicosia 2018, Tel: 22-849 662, Fax: 22-849 850, Contact: Pantelis Papaconstantinou |
| Cyprus Association of Theatre for Children and Young Poeple CYPRUS ASSITEJ, 3,Kitiou Str., Kaimakli, Nicosia |
Main Theatres, Operas, Ballets, Danse etc. CYPRUS updated Wed Nov 23 14:25:25 2005 |
| THOC-The Theatrical Organization of Cyprus, Liberti-Halkanoros, Nicosia 2000, Tel: 22-492 900, Fax: 22-492 923, Email: thoc@cytanet.com.cy, Contact: Antonis Drakos (Chairman of the Board), Andy Bargilly (director), Type: Drama, ChildrensTheatre |
| Satiriko Theatre, Serron, 3 Strovolos, Nicosia Tel: 22-421 16 09, Fax: 22-493 450, Email: satiriko@cytanet.com.cy, Contact: Yiannis Katsouris (Managing Director), Type: Drama, ChildrensTheatre |
| Theatro Ena, 4,Athina Av., Nicosia Tel: 22-348 203, Fax: 22-344 270, Contact: Andreas Christodoulides (Managing Director), Type: Drama, ChildrensTheatre |
| Ethal, P.O BOX 566, Limassol Tel: 5-357570, Fax: 5-341112, Email: ethal@spidernet.com.cy, Contact: M. Tiggilis (chairman of the Board), Type: Drama, ChildrensTheatre |
| THEATRO SCALA, P.O BOX 185, Larnaca Tel: 4-651 337, Fax: 4-625 693, Email: theatro.skala@cytanet.com.cy, Contact: Georgos Lykourgos (chairman of the Board), Type: Drama, ChildrensTheatre |
| Antidoto, Email: info@theatreantidote.com kyrxenak@cytanet.com.cy |
Main performing arts festivals CYPRUS updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005 |
| Cypria International Festival, Kimonos & Thoukidede, 1434 Akropolis, Nicosia Tel: 22-800 600, Period: September, Frequency: Every year, Genre: Music,Theatre,Dance, Contact: George Moleskis Comments: Organised by the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education & Culture. |
| Larnaca Festival, Larnaca Municipality, Larnaca Tel: 26-533 333, Period: July, Frequency: Annual, Genre: Music,Theatre,Dance, Contact: George Jacovou |
| International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama, (during the month of August) organizers: Cyprus Centre of I.T.I., Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Cyprus Tourism Organisation., Regaena Str. No.38, Nicosia 1010, Fax: -22-680 822, Email: ccoiti@cytanet.com.cy, Website: http://www.cyprus-theatre-iti.org, Period: August, Frequency: Every two years, Contact: Nicos Shiafkalis |
Main performing arts schools & university theatre departments CYPRUS updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005 |
| Vladimiros Kafkarides Drama School, Athinon & Serron, 3 Strovolos, Nicosia Tel: 22-421 609, Fax: 22-493 450, Courses: Acting |
(musées,bibliothèques etc.) Main performing arts resource centres (museums, libraries, research & documentation centres,specialist publishers & bookshops etc.) CYPRUS updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005 |
| "Collection of Nicos Nicolaides", Limassol Museum, Limassol Comments: The only private collection of theatre information (programmes,photos,reviews and theatre objects) |
| Theatre Library, P.O Box 5694,1388, STROVOLOS - NICOSIA Tel: 22-311534, Contact: Despo Maskourekkou Comments: Cyprus Centre of ITI established a Theatre Library within the Strovolos Municipal Library |
Main performing arts magazines CYPRUS updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005 |
| Year Book, Frequency: Annual, Cyprus Centre of ITI, Regenas 38, Nicosia 1010, Tel: 22-674 920, Fax: 22-680 822, Email: ccoiti@cytanet.com.cy, Contact: Nicos Shiafkalis (Director), Comments: 1000 copies are printed.It is bilingual and is circulated to all ITI Centres,amongst theatre people in Cyprus and abroad. |
| Theatrica Nea, Frequency: Quarterly, Cyprus Centre of the ITI, Regenas 38, Nicosia 1010, Tel: 2-674 920, Fax: 2-680 822, Email: ccoiti@cytanet.com.cy, Contact: Nicos Shiafkalis (Director) |
Selected Bibliographic data - important references CYPRUS updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005 |
| Publications before 1980, Comments: Up to 1980 there were no publishing houses in Cyprus,so any books about the theatre were published by their authors at their own expense.Worth mentioning is that a monthly short bulletin was published by Achilleas Lympourides called "Theatre Pages",in Second World War years. Later, in 1952, an official magazine was regularly puplished by Achilleas Lympourides and lasted for a few years. |
| History of the Cyprus Theatre, Michalis Mousteris, Fili press, Limassol 1988, Language: Greek |
| Chronological History of the Cyprus Theatre, Michalis Mousteris, Fili press, Limassol 1980, Language: Greek, Comments: 300 pages of information of amateur professional theatre since 1910 :details ,dates ,criticism ,articles about theatre in newspapers ,interviews and other information.The book was printed in 500 copies. |
| Second International Symposium on Ancient Greek Drama., Cyprus Centre of ITI, C&STaliadoros Ltd 1993, Nicosia 1994, Language: Greek/English, Comments: 200 pages |
| Memories and Pictures of Cyprus Theatre on Ancient Greek Drama., Mary Ignatiou-Pieridou, Theo Press, Nicosia 1993, Language: Greek |
| Third International Symposium on Ancient Greek Drama, Cyprus Centre of ITI, Anemos Press, Limassol 1995, Comments: 200 pages |
| Fourth International Symposium on Ancient Greek Drama, Cyprus Centre of ITI, 1997, Language: Greek/English |
| Fifth International Symposium on Ancient Greek Drama, Cyprus Centre of ITI, December 1999, Language: Greek/English |
| Sixth International Symposium on Ancient Greek Drama, Cyprus Centre of I.T.I., September 2000, Language: Greek/English |
| Twenty one years of life, Cyprus Centre of ITI, 1977, Language: Greek/English |
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