The Chroma Group and the director Constantinos Chatzis will be presenting the performance “Damiens / Foucault – Winter”, on the 24th of February and for 10 performance at the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation.

The play discusses the historical course of punishment, from the physical torture chambers used as a method of punishing criminals in the middle ages to the modern methods of punishment used either directly or indirectly by society – even in its simplest form within families, turning designated areas, such as the home, school or hospital into “potential prisons”. What happens, however, when these attempts at reform and control threaten our very souls?

1757. Damiens is condemned to plead guilty whilst standing naked and to be publicly tortured in accordance with strict and intricate rules of punishment.

1901. Damiens is condemned to life imprisonment, mandatory nine-hour work and mandatory two-hour education and prayer.

1998. “Damiens” recounts his story, as that which is needed in law is the personal biography of each person and the accumulation of knowledge from the most hidden aspects of each character.

The evolution of the penal system and methods of punishment over the last centuries, as described by Michel Foucoult, and the discovery of the innermost human thoughts, as painted by  George Cheimonas, make up the deeply personal story of a man living in modern times.

In times where authority has now understood that discipline molds society and that a soul can be created through a submissive body. This multifaceted soul is now the target and the body no more than a tool for the use of every “judge” around us be it a schoolteacher, a parent or a director.

Is it, however, possible for the soul to be reached?  The slightest misconduct constitutes a crime in the vast penal system which surrounds us:  family, school, work, army, prison.  Authority, throughout the years has learned to manipulate and reproduce criminality.  We are all supervisors and yet constantly under supervision ourselves.  And, in the face of all authority, we all keep something to ourselves that is our own.  And only our own.

Adaptation: Vasilis Tsigristaris / Constantinos Chatzis

Direction-Lighting: Constantinos Chatzis

Set Design: Chroma Group

Movement director: Christina Vasilopoulou

Sound design-programming: Violet Louise & Studio 19

Photographs-Video: Charis Germanidis

Assistant Director: Georgia Leni

Communications directors: Marianna Papaki, Nondas Douzinas

Performing: Vasilis Tsigristaris

Voice: Aglaia Pappa