Years to the Day by Allen Barton | Directed by: Sophie Papadopoulos
Blunt and caustic with a contemporary, harsh yet tender expression. The black comedy by Allen Barton “Years to the Day” is a “mirror” of the modern man. It focuses on human relationships and the ways in which they are tested but also the external factors which mold them. The play was first staged in 2013 in Los Angeles and, amongst other awards, was honored as one of the ten best New Theatrical Works by LA Weekly. It was also staged in New York, Paris, Edinburgh and Kansas. As of the 15th of January, it will be staged for the first time in Greece, in the translation by Kimon Fioretos and directed by Sophie Papadopoulou.
How strong is a friendship?
Jeff and Dan are two men in their forties. Successful businessmen with enviable lifestyles, they are old school friends who haven’t met up in over four years. During that time their only communication was meaningless chitchat via social media. And so the time comes for them to finally meet again for a cup of coffee. How much will have changed since their last meeting? Jeff, liberal and progressive, has long thrown off the social stereotypes which for decades had defined the average man. Dan, on the other hand, is deeply conservative with a tendency towards a sense of victimization about what he perceives as happening to him and the threats upon his identity and his life. The rift between them is blatantly obvious. Their meeting, which was supposed to be a pleasant occasion, soon turns into a torturous confession… Can their longstanding friendship survive against the intensity of their opposing political and social beliefs? For the sake of a friendship is it possible to forgive and accept almost anything?
Performance details:
The black comedy by Allen Barton
Directed by: Sophie Papadopoulou
Translation: Kimon Fioretos
Performing: Kimon Fioretos, Fanis Pavlopoulos
Set & Costume designer: Maria Karapouliou
Lighting design: Panos Golfis
Sound design/Music: Lefteris Daskalantonakis
Photographs / Direction of trailer / Editing: Patroklos Skafidas
Assistant director: Erato Aggouraki
PR & Communication: Vaso Sotiriou – We Will
Production: iWa Theater & Film Productions
Performance Duration: 90’
A few words about the writer:
Allen Barton has had a long career in the performing arts as a playwright, director, teacher and classical pianist. His plays include Circling (2016), Disconnection (2015), Years to the Day (2013), and Engagement (2010). “Years to the Day” was honored as one of the ten Best Theatrical Works by LA Weekly and has already been staged in New York, Paris, Edinburgh, and Kansas. He was born and raised in Boston and graduated from Harvard University having been a student of Milton Katselas. Today he lives in Los Angeles and is Artistic Director of the Beverly Hills Playhouse.
The Production Team
Sophie Papadopoulou, Director: With extensive experience in theatre and cinema, Sophie studied acting in Toronto and has taken part in numerous theatrical and cinema productions, performing in a wide range of roles. She founded IWA Actors’ Studio in Los Angeles and Athens, the aim of which is to support the needs of actors, on a professional development level as well as through essential artistic development. IWA holds an exclusive cooperation with the Beverly Hills Playhouse, one of the most recognized acting schools in Los Angeles.
Kimon Fioretos: Born in 1978 in Lund, Sweden. He is a graduate of the “Karolos Koun” Art Theatre (2001) and has been teaching at its school since 2011. His most recent performances include Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Almodovar), Oh, these Ghosts! (Eduardo De Filippo), Mercier & Camier (Beckett), A Clockwork Orange (Burgess), 72 Hours (Lazaridou & Chatzipavlou) and the short film ‘Home’ by Alison Folland.
Fanis Pavlopoulos: Born in Argos, Fanis is a graduate of the “Contemporary Athens Theatre” drama school and founding member of the theatre group Abovo. In his career in theatre, he has collaborated with the following directors, amongst others: George Kimoulis, Giannis Sarakatsanis, Ilias Karellas, Constantinos Aspiotis, Antigone Gyra, Dimitris Bogdanos, Electra Ellinikioti, Haris Attonis and more. In cinema, he has worked with: Dionysis Charitopoulos, Christos Kanakis, Christos Sitaridis, and Vassilis Kekatos.
