Silence Speaks

​An experiential performance, with the

acclaimed choreographer and dancer Tony Yap

 

Hippo Theatre Group present its new production for the theatrical season 2018-2019, based on the book of Indian writer Dhanedra Kawade's “Silence Speaks”. An international group of artists –dancers, actors, musicians- from India, Malaisia and Greet is meeting on stage in a unique experiential body performance without speech. Tony Yap is leading the group so as to reach the various stages of the Loss, using the body as the only narrative medium.

 

Joining Trance, that focuses on consciousness and ritual, with kinemo, the personal, creative theatrical style of Hippo Theatre Group, Silence Speaks will attempt to awaken and involve all the senses of the audience through a unique, personalized, experience. The target is to reveal the inner truth not only of the performers but also of the audience.

 

SILENCE SPEAKS will present for 4 days in Athens –from 9 to 12th of May - and then travels to Thessaloniki for another 4 performances in National Theatre of northern Greece, from 16th to 19th of May.

​

The performance is sponsored by the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports.

 

Note from the Directors

The story by Indian author Dhanendra Kawade explores, in a deeply symbolic way, the concept of loss in relation to personal pain, ego, forgiveness, and transcendence. Loss, as a universal human experience, concerns us all. It may mean the death of a loved one, but more broadly, it can refer to anything that has vanished from someone’s life—friends, health, youth. By turning our focus to painful personal experiences, we attempt a descent into unconscious realms, guided by the need for redemption.

​

In Silence Speaks, we seek to view the psychological process of grief and the journey of mourning through the lens of Eastern philosophy (emptiness, Zen, detachment from the ego). Our perspective is expressed through movement and overall physical presence.

​

In recent decades, Western theatre has often turned to the East in search of that Dionysian element which seems to be increasingly lost through the rationalized approaches to art and technique. This element, connected both to ecstasy and spiritual transcendence, undoubtedly transports us to a sacred place of collective experience and memory. In this space, language loses its power. What prevails is sensation and lived experience.

​

With Silence Speaks, we aim to reposition theatrical action within its pre-verbal, sanctified context.

​

                                                       Alexandros Raptis, Fotis Dousos

​​

​

IDENTITY OF THE PERFORMANCE​

Play: Dhanedra Kawade

Adaptation -  Direction: Alex Raptis, Fotis Dousos

Movement - Choreography: Tony Yap

Dramatology: Anna Tzakou

Setting and Costumes: Katerina Xatzopoulou

Lighting-Video: Apostolis Koutsionikolis – George Panagopoulos

Music (synthesis and on stage): George Dousos

Assistant to Director: Dia Karagianni

 

Production: Hippo Theatre Group​

 

Performers:

Tony Yap, Calliope Simou, Hercules Kotsarinis, Mika Stefanaki, Anastasia Plelli​​​