T.I.N.A., a short story about the crisis, by Simon Grangeat, which was first presented at the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation, for only three performances in May 2015, returns once again to impress with its timeliness, its irony, its cynicism, humour and symbolism. Based on real elements of modern society and financial life, such as toxic loans and hopeless referendums, it cleverly overturns and uncovers the official picture, which, using incomprehensible terms, constantly declares the Thatcher inspired certainty: There Is No Alternative, T.I.N.A.)!

 

A performance in the form of a political cabaret, which delighted the audience and really highlights the richness of contemporary French dramaturgy, and which has been prepared with great care, passion and enthusiasm by its production team. From Friday 15th until Sunday 31st of January 2016, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 21:00, at the MCF Black Box.

 

Alexander Evkleidis, the director of the play, says: T.I.N.A., a work to which its writer, Simon Grangeat, gave the subtitle a short story about the crisis, comes as part of the natural continuation of the political theatre of the 20th century whilst also proffering certain characteristic undercurrents of the 21st century. It historicises the present, in other words it uses the current state of political introspection as material for self-referential symbolism. And, as our world is being taken over by an irrepressible public voice, which rarely overcomes the self-perpetuating clichés, it uses political, social, scientific and journalistic stereotypes as the building blocks in the re-development of scenes, with the use of irony and cynicism, of the dystopia of the post-democratic western world of the crisis. Lastly, it makes a moving attempt to honestly make theatre useful to the spectator and those involved professionally in theatre; to reveal the (evermore) complex mechanisms which are being employed by the (evermore) complex mechanisms of power in order to enslave people and societies. Simon Grangeats work serves what the forefather Brecht would have called the great issue of change.

 

 

Translation: Effie Giannopoulou

Direction: Alexander Evkleidi

Set design-Costumes: Sotiris Stelios

Collaborating director: Maryanna Tzani

Performance photographs: Maria Lumibao Hernandez

 

A co-production: The French Institute of Greece & The Michael Cacoyannis Foundation

In cooperation with: SACD & COPIE PRIVÉ

 

Performing: George Dampasis, Hector Liatsos, Maryanna Tzani

 

 

Simon Grangeat started out in theatre in 1998 as a founding member of Traversant 3, an artistic group focused on young audiences. He presents himself as both a writer and a director but quickly dedicated himself exclusively to writing. His works, which are sometimes aimed at a younger and sometimes a more adult audience, combine poetic language with an interest in social and political matters of the current times. He has participated in many workshops and writing residencies, his works have been presented at readings at the Comédie Française, the Avignon Festival, the Rond-Point Theatre, the Panta Theatre and more. Besides this work, he also takes part in various events and activities connected to contemporary playwriting.

 

In 2014, with the initiative of the Panta Theatre, Caen, in cooperation with the Vyrsodepseio/Tannery-Art space Athens (Artistic director: Elli Papakonstantinou), the play T.I.N.A. by Simon Grangeat, was translated into Greek and presented in its first reading, directed by Guy Delamotte, with a Greek cast, at the Vyrsodepseio in Athens.

 

 

Friday 15th until Sunday 31st of January 2016,

Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 21:00

 

T.I.N.A., a short story about the crisis

Simon Grangeat

Directed by: Alexander Evkleidis

 

Hall: Black Box

Duration: 60

Ticket price: 10, general admission

8, reduced (Students / Young people under 26 / Unemployed (OAED) & families with many children (ASPE) & European youth card holders / Cultural Card holders and Club IFA card holders (the French Institute) / ITI card holders/ Association of Administrative Personnel of the Academy of Athens Card holders/ OIELE Card holders / OLME card holders/ Persons with special needs / Over 65s)