Circling the Square by Dimitris Dimitriadis, a love equation of passion and despair, dedicated from the playwright to those who “live their lives”, was presented at the Onassis Culture Centre in October 2013 and was directed by Dimitris Karantzas. Last July, the performance participated in the official programme of the Avignon Festival (22-25 July) at the Opera Théâtre.
Four love stories, linearly presented after one another; eleven people who share the common need to be loved. As already noted by the director “The Circling of the Square is not merely a metaphor representing passion as a weak manifestation of the impossible, but raises the following question; whether it is possible to escape from the circle or not. That is why repetition is activated; its role is much more than to simply confirm the dominance of Fate.”
The French media announced the presentation of the performance, by publishing interviews with Dimitris Dimitriadis as well as with Dimitris Karantzas. Before the performance, their reaction was cautious and was focused mainly on Dimitris Karantzas’s young age. Following the performance, the reactions were anything but doubtful; “Those who missed were those in the audience who vacated the theatre too early, since the passing of time in the Circling of the square, is an essential element: the more the performance unfolds, the greater its complexity and the tension is revealed before us, thrilling us to our core. The Circling of the Square is inarguably one of the best performances this year and time will vindicate its director.” (Liberation, July 23 2014)
“Arriving in the Avignon Festival, Dimitris Karantzas’s text didn’t receive the success and recognition it deserved. Due to the fact that it was performed only four times, there wasn’t enough time to have a desired impact. It’s a pity. The Circling of the square by Dimitris Karantzas would have been the most timely and avant-garde play of the 68th Avignon Festival. Let’s hope for a upcoming French performance. Soon.” (toutelaculture.com , July 27 2014)
Direction: Dimitris Karantzas
Choreographer: Zoe Chatziantoniou
Scenography: Eleni Manolopoulou
Music: Dimitris Kamarotos
Lighting: Alekos
Costumes: Ioanna Tsami
Assistant Director: Theodora Kapralou
Starring: Konstantinos Avarikiotis, Yorgos Gallos, Aleksia Kaltsiki, Maria Kehayoglou, Yannis Klinis, Periklis Moustakis, Aris Balis, Mihalis Economou, Omiros Poulakis, Elina Rizou, Christos Stergioglou