18 October 2025, 22:00

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The Artistic Program 2025 – 2026 of THOK was presented

The Artistic Program 2025 – 2026 of THOK was presented

In an atmosphere of creative anticipation and intense artistic energy, the Artistic Program of the Cyprus Theater Organization for the theater season 2025 – 2026 was presented on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the New Stage of THOK "Nikos Charalambous". The event was attended by journalists, members of the Board of Directors of THOK, directors and actors as well as the Administrative and Technical Staff of the Organization.

A year of challenge and artistic consistency

The President of the Board of Directors, Pantelis Voutouris, in his opening speech, spoke honestly about the difficulties faced by the Organization, emphasizing the serious problem of understaffing. However, despite any adversity, the Board of Directors methodically attempted a general restructuring of the Organization, which is based on the fact that THOK is not just a producer of shows, but has a complex cultural, educational and social role to play. The main parameters that THOK has already started implementing:

Strategic Planning – A new era for THOK (see here)

For the first time in its history, since its establishment in 1971, THOK acquires an integrated strategic plan, with objectives, principles and methodology. A multi-page binding and directive text for the Organization's actions from now on. The text has already been published on the official website of THOK. The main aspects of this plan, which are already in the implementation phase:

The Upgrading of infrastructure and technical equipment, with the work of reconstructing the Warehouses entering the final phase. This new theater will operate as an Experimental Stage from February 15, 2026.

• Decentralization activities:

a second headquarters in Limassol, a drama school in Larnaca, and a stage design center in Ayia Napa – a project that has already begun.

• Extroversion and international collaborations with theaters in Greece, Scandinavia and Europe. THOK continues to be an active member of the European Theater Convention, participating in important actions such as Young Europe and Theater Green Book.

• Support of Cypriot creators, with an increase in contracts offered and promotion of Cypriot work inside and outside Cyprus.

Report 2024 – 2025

The previous season was characterized by quality productions and a warm response from the public, with 246 performances and a total of 44,500 spectators (excluding the Greek tours of the two summer productions) numbers significantly increased compared to previous seasons.

Repertoire 2025 – 2026: Rich thematic and artistic

The new season's repertoire was presented to the attendees by the Vice President of the Organization's Board of Directors, Anthi Antoniadou, stating that this year's repertoire is rich and multi-thematic, where classical and contemporary works coexist, Cypriot, Greek and foreign creators. A repertoire where stories of the past make bold openings in the present and where the great, timeless, human issues are reintroduced in the present age through the limitless possibilities of the fantasy world of artistic creation.

Specifically:

Our journey this year already started with the repeat of the successful production of the New Stage "Little Ejolf" by Henrik Ibsen, adapted and directed by Stefan Larsson and with co-director Maya Kyriazi. A show that renewed Ibsen's writing, illuminating the dialogue around human relationships, the experiences of guilt, loss, mourning and redemption.

From Ibsen's psychographies we pass to the voice of Andersen's child, the little hero who is not afraid to tell the truth. Stage 018, with the work of Paraskeia Karasoulou and Nikandros Savvidis "The King's New Clothes", theatrically reconstructs Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale. Marina Vronti's direction reminds us of the power of truth in the face of fear, the importance of daring to say "the king is naked".

With the same conviction that children's theater is an artistically demanding and essential affair, we also turn our attention to the teenage audience. The Valitsa Theater production "Margarita forever", based on the well-known short story by Dimitris Hatzis "Margarita Perdikaris", adapted and performed by Elena Pavlidou and Nicoleta Verykiou, will travel to school halls from the end of October. A story of coming of age and resistance. A silent revolution in the midst of the Second World War and the German occupation, where personal awakening turns into collective power.

The Central Stage opens with a play that combines the charm of the classic with the contemplation of the modern: behind a mystery there is always a moral dilemma. "Crime on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie, adapted by Ken Ludwig, is presented for the first time in Cyprus, directed by Taki Tzamargia. A project where the concept of justice is tested: Institutional justice or self-righteousness? True or false? Theater or reality?

Next, the deeply confessional, poetic writing of Loula Anagnostaki with the play "To you who listen to me" directed by Thanasis Georgiou. From January 2026, the New Stage of THOK "Nikos Charalambous" is transformed into an open arena of silent protest. Another interesting post-theatrical condition, in which the private intertwines with the public and the individual with the collective experience. Heroes who ask to be heard in a world that isolates them.

From the need to be heard, we pass to the need to preserve speech itself, the word itself, identity and memory. In April, Nea Skeni welcomes Irish author Brian Friel's "Translations", directed by Patrick Myles and co-director Andreas Tselepos. A work that raises political and existential questions, which also touch the Cypriot context. What remains of a people when their language is taken away? The performance is part of the 70 years since the liberation struggle of EOKA.

In the same context and in the same time period, Maria Mannaridou-Karsera has been invited to highlight the theatricality of two important works of Cypriot literature. "Closed Doors" by Costas Montis and "The Cyprus Symphony" by Theodosis Pieridis, will be presented in the form of a theatrical analogy. Projects that bear the imprint of History and encompass the fighting pulse of our country.

Last year's effort for extroversion continues this year with new partnerships. British director Owen Horsley directs Twelfth Night, one of William Shakespeare's greatest and wildest comedies. From February, the romantic story of disguises, cross-dressing and the fluidity of identities is transformed on stage into a wonderful love fest, filled with love, mystery, laughter, tears and madness.

The Warehouse Theatre, now the Experimental Stage, is being renovated – architecturally reconstructed and redefined as a space for research and artistic experimental activities. The summer workshop process, artistically curated by Magdalena Zira, directed by Avra ​​Sidiropoulou and Evita Ioannou and written by Eurydiki Perikleous-Papadopoulou, together with a group of actors, was the first step of this exploratory process, a process that is ongoing to yield new authorial fruits around the thematic axis of artistic creation.

Finally, the summer season combines the ancient heritage with the newest dramaturgy. THOK has submitted a proposal to the Athens and Epidaurus Festival for the presentation of a production of an ancient Greek drama, while at the same time it is preparing the anti-war satire "Dad the War" by Iakovos Campanellis, the writer who gave voice to post-war Greece and defined the development of modern Greek theater, directed by Achilleas Grammatikopoulos.

Two videos were shown during the launch event:

The first presents the productions that will be hosted on the THOK Stages here and the second, the parallel actions of Theatrical Development that frame and strengthen the work of the Organization.

THOK's new repertoire for the 2025–2026 season includes 12 productions, combining classical and contemporary works, Cypriot and international creators, and themes that touch on human experience, social criticism, memory and identity.

🔹 New Stage:

• "Little Ejolf" by Ibsen - repeat of the successful production. Adaptation-Director: Stefan LarssonAssociate director: Maya Kyriazi

• "To those who listen to me" by Loula Anagnostaki. Directed by Thanasis Georgiou

• "Translations" by Brian Friel - in the context of EOKA's 70 years.Director: Patrick MylesAssociate director: Andreas Tselepos

• Theatrical repertoire: "Closed Doors" by Costas Montis and "The Cypriot Symphony" by Theodosis Pieridis. Directed by: Maria Mannaridou-Karsera

🔹 Stage 018 (children's and youth theater):

"The King's New Clothes" – based on Andersen's fairy tale, adapted by Paraskea Karasoulos and Nikandros Savvidis.Director: Marina Vronti

• "Margarita forever" – teenage production that will tour schools. Adaptation-Direction: Elena Pavlidou-Nicoleta Verykiou

🔹 Main Stage:

• "Crime on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie. Directed by: Takis Tzamargias

• Shakespeare's Twelfth Night – directed by Owen Horsley, reinforcing European extroversion.

🔹 Experimental Stage – Theater Warehouses:

• Research program under the supervision of Magdalena Zira, with the participation of the directors Avra ​​Sidiropoulou and Evita Ioannou, the writer Eurydiki Perikleous-Papadopoulou and actors, around the thematic axis of artistic creation.

🔹 Summer repertoire:

• Proposal for participation in the Epidaurus Festival with ancient Greek drama.

• "Dad the War" by Iakovos Campanellis - anti-war satire directed by Achilleas Grammatikopoulos.

Perspective and future

The composition of this year's repertoire underlines the continuity, quality and sensitivity of THOK towards people, society and artistic research. Despite the challenges, the Organization remains faithful to its role as a national theater body, aiming at artistic excellence, continuous renewal and the connection of Cypriot theater with the European and international arena.

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