Sports / About Doha
Olympic ceremony organizer returns with hit show
(AP)
Updated: 2006-12-11 14:05
Dimitris Papaioannou, the man who created the spectacular opening
ceremony for the Athens Olympics, has chosen something far from the
mainstream for his first show since then.
Papaoiannou's "2" is an edgy, dance-driven play about masculine
identity,an unconventional theme in a country that expects its men to be
real men.
Athenians are lining up to see it.
Two weeks after opening at a downtown theater, "2" is already guaranteed
an extended run with performances scheduled through January.
"I wanted to explore the issues that men deal with in this country,"
Papaioannou said.
Women are notably absent from the stage in "2" as 22 actors battle the
"Mediterranean macho male" culture.
"I am just now realizing how successful the show is," Papaioannou, 42,
said in an interview Friday, adding he took time off to recover from the
demands of the 2004 event.
Inspiration for the show came partly from his experience as a gay man in
Greece, but also from the general human ability to judge what is
familiar, he said.
"I wouldn't criticize anything I didn't love," he said.
The title tries to reconcile the dual nature of men, the masculine with
the feminine, he said.
"He explored the theme of male identity, including homosexuality, in a
nonoffensive and artistic manner. It's a real departure from what you'd
expect," said Maria Anagnostou, a 24-year-old gymnast.
Athens organizers chose Papaioannou over more experienced directors for
the 2004 Olympic opening ceremony, in a gamble that paid off and turned
attention away from massive organizational delays before the games.
Drummers, the theatrical timeline of Greek history and a water-filled
area at Athens Olympic Stadium became a lasting image of the event.
Papaioannou was previously known for his work with the Omada Edafous
Dance Theater troupe and its provocative performance of "Medea."
Before dance, Papaioannou was a painter and comic strip artist. He
studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts and trained under noted Greek
artist Giannis Tsarouchis.
Success in 2004 left him "awkwardly stuck between the mainstream and
avant garde."
"There is a sense of sweet confusion," he said, adding that the
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create the Olympic opening ceremony
left him satisfied, knowing he had put together something "epic."
Papaioannou, dressed in jeans and smoking a cigarette, said he now wants
to focus on smaller shows.
"I can't exhaust myself trying to sell my work," he said. "It's about
communication ... not fame or money."
Top Sports News
� Li expects all-Chinese final at tennis women's singles
� NO.1 archer ousted due to rule
� China's women hurdlers dominate in Doha
� Iverson destination still unknown
� Luo takes taekwondo gold
Today's Top News
� China's WTO entry recasts economic landscape
� Foreign banks' applications get nod
� Chileans clash after Pinochet's death
� Daily benchmark rate to be issued
� China's WTO entry 'changing the world'
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours
Learn Chinese, Free Chinese Lesson, Learning Materials, Mandarin audio lessons, Chinese writing lessons, Chinese vocabulary lists, About chinese characters, News in Chinese, Go to China, Travel to China, Study in China, Teach in China, Dictionaries, Learn Chinese Painting, Your name in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese songs, Chinese proverbs, Chinese poetry, Chinese tattoo, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Mandarin Phrasebook, Chinese editor, Pinyin editor, China Travel, Travel to Beijing, Travel to Tibet
No comments:
Post a Comment