Actor Tassos Alatzas introduces us to the first play of the English actor and writer Jim Sweeney “Danny’s Wake” which has been awarded the first prize at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1999.
“Danny’s Wake” is a black comedy staged for the first time in Greece and only for 10 performances in March 2011 at the Theater Akadimeia. It was also played in Bob Festival 2011 at Chora Theater and at Lithographio Theater of Patras translated by Henry Belian and directed by Tassos Alatzas.
The show comes back here, updated and adapted to a non–theatrical space, the play is left to the specificity of the space and takes the form of an artistic–theatrical performance.
Billy is a plumber. Patrick is a professor. Danny is… dead.
The theme is both macabre and humane. Three childhood friends, Billy, Patrick, and Danny will meet after many years. They were all best friends until they finished school. They have not met since. The problem is that one of them is dead. The second problem is that the two who stay alive have lost touch with each other for years. Patrick was married and left. Billy married, divorced and stayed. The only thing that brings them together is their childhood. So this meeting will be highly explosive. During the night the two “friends” will be confronted, they will try to communicate and find out what went “wrong”. They will make revelations, they will laugh, they will drink , they will quarrel. They will remember things from the past and will unfold their entire lives. Old wounds will open and their concerns will emerge . And all these happen over their dead friend. In a single night we will see their real life, which they were hiding all these years.
Ultimately, is time sufficient to break human relationships?...more
Jim Sweeney, Writer
Michael James Dominic Sweeney was born on February 7, 1955 in Bormouth of England. Known as Jim Sweeney. English actor and comedian who became famous from the improvisations he performed as an artistic duo with Steve Steen. When he was 11 he moved with his parents and three brothers in London. He started showing interest in the theater, while he was studying at Chapman College, a Catholic boys school. During the 70’s he dealt with theatrical productions and toured with his partner and friend from school Steen. The duet’s first television show titled: Small Armantilo, screened by Channel 4 was a comedy targeted at children audience. Permanent collaboration on the show of Rory Bremner and the BBC followed, with the artistic duo presenting comedy sketches. In 1987, he embodied Samuel Taylor Coleridge in an episode of the series Black adder III, with Steen playing Lord Byron. He appeared in several commercials and took part in many radio shows and low comedy, with most famous Any Bloke, where he had the leading role. He also made many guest–star appearances on several television series. Since 1992 he is member of the Comedy Store’s Players. Apart from the award–winning work “Danny’s Wake”, which was transferred to radio in the form of series, Sweeney wrote the following works: “The old crossing”, “Cabin Fever” and “I, myself, self”. Since 1985, Sweeney suffers from multiple sclerosis, and since 2005 he is in a wheelchair. In 2008 the illness forced him to retire from acting. Honorary he is still a member of the Comedy Store’s Players. Today he lives with his companion and two daughters at Wimbledon.
[Biography updated on: 24/5/2012]
Tassos Alatzas, Actor (Patrick), director, lighting design
Tasos Alatza is a graduate of the Higher Theatre School of Dramatic Art “Karolos Koun”. He has done phonetics and theatrical singing with L. Fratzea – L. Gigante. He has attended seminars by Aneza Papadopoulou and at the Athens Festival (2007) he attended the seminar “Devised Theatre” with instructor Albrecht Hirche. In theater he has worked with directors: I. Papathanasiou – M. Reppas, P. Zulu, P. Philippidis, D. Degaitis, Al. Kotsovoulou C. Lymperopoulou, C. Iordanidis, G. Theodosiadis, K. Rouggeri, A. Kalogridis, K. Damati, C. Tsianos, G. Kimoulis, El Mavili, Al. Eskenazi, C. Hadjidakis, Jean–Jacques Tesson, D. Adami, D.. Chronopoulos, S. Arkenti. He has played in television series: “Ethereal Silences” MEGA, “Love Thief” ANT1. He was assistant director of I. Papathanasiou – M. Reppas in the performances: “To be or not to be” in theater “Katia Dandoulaki”, “Raus” in theater “Piraeus 131”, “my boyfriend Lefterakis” summer 2010 tour, “In Laws From Tirana” in theater “Lampeti”, “Skirt Blouse” in theater “Piraeus 131”. “Danny’s Wake” is his first directing work.
[Biography updated on: 24/5/2012]
Stavros Karagiannis, Actor (Billy)
Stavros Karagiannis is a graduate of the Higher Dramatic Art of the National Theatre. In theater he has worked with directors: I. Papathanasiou – M. Reppas, S. Kyriakides, M. Manousakis, C. Arvanitakis, D. Mavropoulo, O. Goniadi, N. Mastorakis, P. Zivano, A. Serban, D. Konstantinidi, D. Chronopoulos, G. Rigas C. Iordanidis, K. Bakas. He has played in television series: “The Life of the Other” (MEGA), “Karma” (ANT1), “I Have a Secret” (ALPHA), “Yougerman” (ANT1), “Tales of the Policeman Beka” (ALPHA), “Above the Law” (ANT1), “Miss Madiam” (ANT1), “Full Marriage” (ANT1), “Red Room” (MEGA), ”Safe Sex” (MEGA).
[Biography updated on: 24/5/2012]
Eleni Karamerou, Sets – Costumes
Eleni Karamerou has worked with: National Theater, Alkmini Theater, New World Theater, Gloria Theater, Poria Theater, Praxi Theater, Metaxourgio Theater .
[Biography updated on: 26/10/2011]
Errikos Belies, Translation
Errikos Belies was born in Athens Greece and studied English Literature and Archeology at the University of Athens. He has published 6 poetry collections and has translated 24 novels and 69 plays.
[Biography updated on: 26/10/2011]
