"Agora" Theater

BRIEF HISTORY

The Civil Society of a non-profit character with the name "Theater and Art Company" was founded in 1987 by renowned art lovers, artists and citizens interested in art, citizens of Patras.

The first theatrical productions of the "Theater and Art Company", were successfully presented (artistic and cash) at the Municipal Theater of Patras "O Apollo" and then toured throughout Greece, invited by Municipalities, Communities, Festivals and other organizations.

In 1988, a two-storey neoclassical building in the city center (Karaiskaki 149) was granted by the Ministry of Culture (under the ministry of Melina Mercouri) to the newly established Theater and Art Company. The decision of the concession by the Ministry of Culture, was taken after a positive suggestion and mediation of the Archaeological Council and the local Ephorate of Classical Antiquities.

The building was donated to the "Theater and Art Company" in order to transform it into a theater. So the ground floor of the building, which was until then an old coal warehouse, was turned into a spectacular place as if by a miracle. With 18 months of mainly voluntary work and financial contributions from Patras businessmen, merchants, private donors, as well as public bodies (Ministry of Culture, Municipality, Prefecture, Ephorate of Modern Monuments, with offers in amounts, materials and special craftsmen), it was possible to add to the city a jewel, a wonderful theatrical space of about 100 seats. with important material and technical infrastructure (sound, lighting, cloakroom, make-up, etc.) .. The theater opened in the spring of 1990.

The name given to this new theater was "AGORA", a symbolic name, because near it is the old "AGORA" of the city "MARKATO", but also because "agora" in the ancient Greek language means the conscious gathering of people, citizens.

Thus, since March 1990, the "AGORA" theater has been operating in Patras, which since then and has continuously housed the successful theatrical productions of the troupe. At the same time, however, it hosts a number of theatrical organizations, professional and amateur, local or central, invited as well as hosts film screenings, music and dance groups, literary evenings, artistic and cultural presentations, cultural days, round tables, etc. with co-organizers all the cultural institutions of the city: University, Municipality, Lyceums and Gymnasiums, Writers' Association of Southwestern Greece, presentations of events of bookstores and publishing houses and most of the relevant events.

A group of spiritual people housed in "AGORA" its noble purposes and offered in Patras an alternative and auspicious scene for everyone.

THE PURPOSES OF "THEATER AND ART COMPANY" - "MARKET THEATER"

Its aims are cultural, purely intellectual and artistic in nature and in no way for-profit. Particularly:

The promotion of theatrical art in Patras especially and in Greece in general.
The utilization of the theatrical heritage, Greek and foreign, the expansion of the stage reflection on the traditional forms of theatrical art, as well as the strengthening of the theoretical and practical researches for the promotion of original forms of theatrical creation.
The general cultural activity with the organization of lectures, open discussions, seminars, publications, exchanges etc.
The elaboration of studies - researches at a theoretical and practical level (theatrical publications - publications) which concern the theatrical art in general and the formulation of proposals - solutions on these issues.
Through special educational-cognitive circles, dissemination and education of groups and individuals in the case, in the value, in the aesthetic and cultural cultivation through the theatrical Art.

THE WORKS

THEATER

The Theater and Art Company was mainly engaged in quality theatrical activity, based on conscious and selfless actors.

At the "AGORA" theater, the following were staged in every theatrical winter season from 1987 to 1997, directed by Evanthia Stivanaki, classic, innovative, first-class and high-level works:

"The Dictatorship of Conscience" (M. Satrof) First presented in Patras in a custom translation, by N. Kyttopoulos. The show was staged with the artistic direction of the actor Costas Kazakos. 1987 - 1988

"Venice was saved" (Thomas Otway) Custom translation by Christina Babou - Pagoureli. This Elizabethan tragedy, unplayed and untranslated in Greece, was published by the theater company and the "Achaean Publications" with co-financing from the Club of Letters and Arts. 1990

"Sisve Banji is lost" (Athol. Fugart) Translated by Stella Kranai. 1991

"Two Top Women" (Robert McDonald) Translated by Toulas Maniaki

"Trojans" (Euripides) Translated by Chr. Giannopoulou. 1993 - 1994

"Vasilikos" (Antoniou Matesi) 1995

"The man and the love" Alexandrou Papadiamantis Logos ". Stage editing and composition by Evanthia

Stivanaki"Babylonia" by D. Byzantiou. 1996

"Psychology of a Syrian Husband" (Emmanouil Roidis) 1999

"Hail Louisa" (Based on the work of Rea Galanaki "I will sign Louis". Stage editing by Evanthia Stivanaki, 2002

"Kallipateira in the light of Olympia" by Evanthia Stivanaki, 2004

SEMINARS

In 1992-93, for six months, the AGORA Theater hosted an Ancient Drama Seminar with courses in Acting, Music, Movement as well as theoretical 13 Speakers (philologists, archaeologists, directors, choreographers, musicians) gave theoretical lessons. The Seminar was funded by the Region of Western Greece, within the European Community and the Municipality of Fathers. The culmination of this was the performance of the Tragedy of Euripides: "Trojans".
Six-month acting seminar (April 94 to September 94

OTHER ARTISTIC CULTURAL EVENTS:

The Theater and Art Company embraces many other cultural sectors of our city. The AGORA Theater has so far provided quality film screenings on the themes of Theater in the 7th Art (collaboration with the public), music, poetry, literature and literary events of institutions such as: The University of Patras, Friends of Classical Music, bookstores, Achaean publications , of the theatrical department of the University. Patras, Regional Educators Centers Aspires to be and is always a living spiritual space, open to any cultural endeavor.