“Pinocchio” by Patmiki Skini at the Patmion Cultural Centre

The amateur theatrical group Patmiki Skini returns to the island’s stage with a performance that marries the fantastic with the deeply human.

From 7 to 11 June, at 20:00 every night, the Patmion Cultural Centre hosts “Pinocchio”, in a theatrical version that illuminates the journey of self-knowledge, the test and the return.

The story of Pinocchio, in the Patmiki Stage’s version, is based on an adaptation by Anna Konstantinidou and directed by Anna Kleoudis, with a strong theatrical perspective and respect for the literary depth of Carlo Collodi’s work. “Pinocchio” is not presented as a simple narrative, but as a symbol of a journey that carries within it all the traits of magical fairy tales: absence, the breaking of the ban, deception, trials and finally redemption through return.

The scenic and aesthetic supervision is signed by Kostas Matthaiou, who was in charge of the sets, costumes and lighting, while at the same time, together with Fotini Erga, he was in charge of the make-up and hair of the actors. The original music of the songs was written by Rafael Yamaeus, while the musical selections and sounds were taken care of by Theologos Gryllis. The poster and the program were designed by Dimitra Paitaridis and the theatrical constructions were undertaken by Irini Matthaiou. The subdesk was curated by Filiot Grilli.

The distribution of the roles is the result of a collective work, with Despina Melianou playing the role of Pinocchio and Yannis Andreou playing the roles of Geppetto and Cat. Nikitas Kavouras gives shape and voice to Cricket and the Fox, while Fotini Erga embodies the Fairy. Dionysis Traylos plays several roles – the Policeman, Manchukuo and the Owl – and Christina Yannarou plays the Puppet and the Rabbit. Katerina Tsoukala appears as Puppet and Bird, Theologos Koumanis as the Passer-by, Waiter and Luchiniolo, Voula Meri as the Passer-by and Teacher, Dimitris Galanis as the Passer-by and Raven, while Filiot Grilli also appears as Paedomazochtra.

The students Alkisti Karatza, Ioulia Skarpa, Irini Grilli, Maria Miaouli, Andrianna Maris, Dionisia Camposou, Armando Zefi and Yannis Gratsias also participate in the performance, enhancing the liveliness and the collective nature of the stage action.

The theatrical adaptation of “Pinocchio” was made in collaboration with the Genneio Gymnasium of Patmos, and is a mature theatrical proposal, which balances between the symbolic and the fairytale, humour and emotion. Colodi’s work, written in 1880 and completed in 1883, remains to this day one of the most translated works of world literature. The author, known by his pen name Carlo Collodi, did not have the chance to see the international success of his work, which was first published in the children’s newspaper Il Giornale dei bambini and was to become an international symbol.