The Building, a modern Greek play by Peny Fylaktaki, will run at the Michael Pilch Studio of Balliol College between 11th and 13th June, with a matinée on the Saturday.



Performed in Greek with English surtitles, the play will be directed by Anastasia Revi.



“It’s the first time I’ve ever spoken about this. The truth is, it’s the first time I’ve spoken at all, uttered a word, with a human voice. Because it’s generally accepted that buildings cannot speak.”



Written in 2011, this is a story of a building which narrates its turbulent life from the first day people raised it onto its feet until today. Over the course of the past century, the building constantly changes functions and inhabitants, gradually becoming a beacon of history. The never-ending alternation of existence, war, peace, birth and death of its occupants stands in stark contrast with the infinity of the building’s presence. Through immersive storytelling, the play reveals the cycles of history and the struggle of humans to make a mark and a lasting impact over time.



Praxis (Πράξις) is a theatre group established in 2013 by the Oxford University Greek Society, with a vision to introduce contemporary Greek plays performed in their original language to an English-speaking audience by providing surtitles, and is proud of being the first ever to do so in Oxford. Its début, the satirical Internal Affairs by Marios Pontikas, directed by Manos Tsotras, was staged in May 2014 with great success. The team has firmly established its unique identity as Praxis (Action), a diverse group from the both the University and the wider Greek community.



Director Anastasia Revi said: “I met Praxis last December and I found them irresistible as their passion, commitment and love for theatre combined with their intelligence, spirit and soul are unique qualities for a director. Oxford is a theatre set itself as it full of those historical buildings of exceptional beauty. Both are special ingredients of a true inspiration. Buildings tell stories…untold stories of this world…and this world is extraordinary like our show!”



Anastasia Revi (www.anastasiarevi.co.uk) is the Artistic Director of the award-winning Theatre Lab Company (TLC – www.theatrelab.co.uk), a London-based international team founded in 1997, which is unique in its promotion, production and translation of challenging contemporary Greek theatre by some of Greece’s most esteemed playwrights. TLC has been invited to and performed at various European venues and international festivals, including in Edinburgh, Belgrade, Prague, Dublin, Avignon, Greece and New York. Anastasia and Praxis began their journey together in December 2014.



The Building is at the Michael Pilch Studio, Jowett Walk, Oxford, 11th-13th June. Tickets are priced £8 (£6 concessions).



For further information, images or interviews, please contact: praxistheatre.info@gmail.com.



Facebook: Praxis Oxford Greek theatre group

Twitter: @PraxisOxford

Crowdfunding via IndieGoGo: www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-building





Notes to Editors



Cast:

Christos Astaras

Sevi Iosifidou

Lina Kagli

Achilleas Kapanidis

Katerina Kaselimi

Alan Knapman

Evangelia Kougioumoutzi

Melina Lepida

Maria Michalopoulou

Nikos Mitakidis

Afroditi Pekou

Angeliki Xifara



Listings Information:

The Building

By Peny Fylaktaki

Directed by Anastasia Revi

In Greek with English surtitles

11th-13th June, 2015

Michael Pilch Studio, Jowett Walk, Oxford, OX1 3TL

Thursday-Saturday 8pm; Saturday matinée 2:30pm [check]

Age guidance PG

Tickets £8, £6 concessions