The sold-out premiere of the new production of the Nicosia International Festival, “Once Upon a Time”, a show for audiences of all ages - children and parents alike- took place on Saturday, November 16. The First Lady of the Republic of Cyprus, Mrs. Philippa Karsera Christodoulides, honored the premiere with her presence.
Following the success of the first three performances, the Nicosia International Festival is adding two more performances on Tuesday 24 December 2024, Christmas Eve, at 11:00 and 16:00, at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre.
Nicosia 2030, the candidate city for the title of European Capital of Culture, embraces the traditions, myths, and fairy tales of Cyprus, highlighting the intangible cultural heritage of our country. In this context, it brought to life Cypriot fairy tales through the work of a remarkable creative team. These include The Dragoness and the Princess, Pittortos, Trantafyllene, Dkiamantis and Stachtoula.
The tales were recorded by the researcher Nearchos Clerides in his book ‘
Cypriot Tales’, published by the Nearchos Clerides Cultural Foundation. Based on this book, Alpha Cyprus created an innovative audio podcast, from which, the idea for the performance
Once Upon a Time was born, featuring a dramatization by Stavros Stavrou, original music and songs by Kostas Kakogiannis and Pambos Kouzalis, a live orchestra, animations, puppets, a children's choir, and immersive cinema-like sound. All of this is brought together under the direction of Kleitos Kleitou.
Creative team
Dramaturgy: Stavros Stavrou
Cypriot dialect editing: Andreas Tsouris
Music Credits:
Music: Kostas Kakogiannis
Lyrics: Pambos Kouzalis
Sets/ costumes: Lakis Genethlis
Animation/visual design: Black Dog Creative Agency
Choreography: Fotis Nikolaou
Sound design: Nicolas Prokopiou
Lighting design: Christos Charalambous
Masks: Martha Foka
Directed by: Klitos Klitou
Actors: Andreas Tsouris, Astero Kyprianou, Semeli Kyriazi
Participants: Androula Eracleous, Anthi Antoniadou and in a special appearance Andri Karantoni
With the participation of the singers: Mariam Venizelou, Andrea Markou, Andrea Neocleous, Georgia Neocleous
Musicians: Andreas Davison (percussion), Pambos Theodorou (lute, mandolin, bouzouki), Avraam Kontos (guitar, bass, piano, voice), Kostas Kakogiannis (pithkiavli, violin, flute, piano, voice) and Pambos Kouzalis (percussion, voice).
Participants: Anthi Papaphilippou Children's Choir and the Nicosia Municipality Children's Choir conducted by Anthi Papafilippou and as assistant choir conductor: Araam Kontos.
Duration: 70΄
The production may scare younger members of the audience under 5 years old.
Tickets:
Available online via Soldout Tickets:
bit.ly/NIF24_tickets, at Stephanis stores, and the Nicosia Municipal Theatre box office (Monday - Friday 10:00-13:00).
Ticket prices:
ZONE A: €16/ €14
ZONE B: €14/ €12
ZONE C: € 12/ €10
ZONE D: €8
Information: 22797979 (Monday - Friday 10:00-13:00) &
bit.ly/Website_NIF2024
Festival identity
Organisers: Nicosia Municipality, Nicosia For Art
Institutional Sponsor: Deputy Ministry of Culture, Republic of Cyprus
Bronze sponsor: Onassis Stegi
Communication sponsors: ALPHA CYPRUS, LOVE Radio
Support: Nicosia School Comittee