Horika Ydata written and directed by Lina Nikolakopoulou – Larnaka 3.7.2025

Lina Nikolakopoulou’s long career as a lyricist encompasses not only the world of music but the theatre also, where she has collaborated with a number of important directors and composers on a wide range of great works from ancient dramaturgy to the modern day.

In Horika Ydata, the major Greek poet and lyricist directs excerpts from theatrical works and their songs, for which she has also written linking texts. The production weaves a colourful tapestry of comedy and drama, focussing on timeless themes that shape human nature, fate and deeds.

Many of the songs written for theatre have taken on a life of their own, becoming popular without audiences knowing that they originated in the theatre. In Horika Ydata, they return to their original home: the stage. Starting with Lysistrata (1986) and then The Trojan Women, Plutus, The Knights, Oedipus, The Sixth Floor, Wild Honey, and The Little Slave, Lina Nikolakopoulou accentuates how the Choric art – a combination of poetry, music and dance – plays a crucial role in shaping performance. Songs, both familiar and less well-known, each with a theatrical story to tell, come together in a captivating production that engages the audience on a deeply emotional level.

Joining Lina Nikolakopoulou in her creative endeavours is a superb team of artists whose talent is an integral part in the final result: Angelos Mentis and Angelos Angeli, designers of the set and costumes respectively; Socrates Leptos, arranger, conductor and music coach of the production; and Fotis Nikolaou, responsible for movement and choreography.

Eight performers – four men and four women from three generations – bring a wide range of dramatic skills to the stage, with their acting, dancing and singing: the grande dame of the theatre, Annita Santorineou, who embodies the spirit of the legendary era of Karolos Koun, Stella Fyrogeni, Alexandros Bourdoumis, Haris Pisias and Niovi Charalambous, who have had a long and successful career in theatre, and the younger cast members, Christos Grozos, Loukas Prokopiou and Maria Tsiakka.

Six accomplished instrumentalists bring the music to life with a wonderful blend of virtuosity and flair.

Creative Team

Text, Direction: Lina Nikolakopoulou
Set design: Angelos Mentis
Costume design: Angelos Angeli
Arrangement, Musical direction: Socrates Leptos
Choreography, Movement: Fotis Nikolaou
Lighting design: Georgios Koukoumas
Artistic associate: Georgia Meshiti
Special props: Stefanos Nearchou
Assistants to the set designer and costume designer: Panayiotis Andreou, Evanthia Demetriou

Cast:
Annita Santorineou Alexandros Bourdoumis
Stella Fyrogeni Haris Pisias
Niovi Charalambous Christos Grozos
Maria Tsiakka Loukas Prokopiou

On-stage musicians: Katerina Paraschou (song)
Ioannis Karseras, Andreas Krambias, Socrates Leptos, Andreas Michalopoulos,
Marios Solomou, Andreas Theocharous

Performances:

Limassol
Kourion Ancient Amphitheatre*
Friday 13 June 2025 (with English and Turkish surtitles)

Nicosia
Amphitheatre Makarios III, School for the blind
Wednesday 18 June 2025
Thursday 19 June 2025 (with Greek surtitles)
Friday 20 June 2025 ((with English and Turkish surtitles)

Deryneia
Municipal Amphitheatre
Friday 27 June 2025

Larnaka
Pattichion Amphitheatre
Thursday 3 July 2025
within the framework of the Larnaka Festival 2025

All performances begin at 21:00

Ticket Prices
€20 / €10 (unemployed, pensioners, large families with presentation of documents, persons under 25 years of age with presentation of ID)

*Free transport by bus is available from Pafos to the Kourion Ancient Amphitheatre
For further information, www.thoc.org.cy

Permission to perform at Ancient Monuments is granted by the Deputy Ministry of Culture

Information / Tickets

Online at www.thoc.org.cy
Thoc Theatre box office, tel. 77772717 (Tuesday-Saturday 10am-1.30pm & 4pm-6pm)