One of the most recent works by director and choreographer Zoe Chatziantoniou, Amalia Melancholia, queen of the palm trees brings to the stage of Nicosia the hidden and largely unknown story of Greece’s first queen. The work is based on the 887 letters written by the young Amalia to her father, the Duke of Oldenburg, as well as on historical testimonies and rare archival material. Through this material, the creator gives voice to a female body that became a site of national expectations and European rivalries.

For sixteen years, at a time when the stability and future of the newly founded Greek state depended on the birth of an heir, Amalia’s inability to have “a child” became the subject of medical experimentation, relentless surveillance and merciless criticism. Her personal “failure” turned into a national concern, and her womb became a terrain upon which political power, science and ideology converged.

Deeply in love with Greece, the Queen created, through determination, imagination and devotion, an oasis in the barren, war-scarred landscape of Athens: today’s National Garden. In the performance, the Garden emerges as an act of supreme creation, beyond dynastic and social imperatives. It also becomes an alternative form of motherhood, offering and perpetual continuity, as Amalia’s “child” continues to grow, regenerate and flourish centuries later, just as she had dreamed.

Employing contemporary theatrical means, Zoe Chatziantoniou creates a haunting and unprecedented theatrical universe – part performance, part visual installation – in which confessional text, unexpected movement, striking imagery and a dreamlike atmosphere come together in a poetic confrontation with personal and national struggles, with History itself, and with all that insists on being reborn despite adversity.

“Now release. Re-unite with the garden of Eden. Queen Amalia will be your hostess. She will open her eyes, her body, her heart for you. Enjoy!”

CREATIVE TEAM

Research – Text – Dramaturgy – Direction: Zoe Chatziantoniou
Set Design: Eva Manidaki
Music – Soundscape – Sound Design: Stavros Gasparatos in collaboration with Giorgos Myzithras
Costume Design: Ioanna Tsami
Video Design: Pantelis Makkas
Lighting Design: Alekos Anastasiou
Text and Dramaturgical Consultant: Louiza Arkoumanea
Assistant Director: Dina Debebe
Tour Production Manager: Maria Dourou

With: Emily Koliandri as Amalia and Rita Lytou as Curator of the Exhibit / First Lady-in-Waiting, Plysko

The production was supported by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture.

Running time: 95 minutes, no interval

NICOSIA INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

FESTIVAL IDENTITY

CO-ORGANISERS: Nicosia For Art Ltd, Nicosia Municipality
MAIN SPONSOR: Deputy Ministry of Culture, Department of Contemporary Culture
GOLD SPONSORS: VF Foundation, Allwyn
SILVER SPONSOR: PwC
OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR: Phileleftheros Media Group
SUPPORTERS: L’Oréal Paris, French Institute of Cyprus, The Classic Hotel, Ethimo
PARTNER: Press and Information Office
HOSPITALITY SPONSORS: Centrum Hotel, Altius Boutique Hotel
OFFICIAL FESTIVAL CAR: Pilakoutas Group
EXCLUSIVE TICKETING PARTNER: more.com

Ticket Prices

Zone A: €30
Zone B: €25 / €20 reduced ticket*
Zone C: €20 / €15 reduced ticket*
Zone D: €15

*Reduced tickets: Senior Citizens 65+, Students, Unemployed Persons, People with Disabilities PwD assistant.

Persons with Disabilities PwD enter free of charge with the relevant ID, whilst their assistant one person enters with a reduced ticket.

For group bookings and tickets for persons with disabilities PwD, please contact the theatre box office directly at +357 22 797 979.