Limassol, Cyprus. The Cyprus International Theatre Festival is back for its third year in Limassol, with performances and parallel events running from Tuesday until Sunday. This week and weekend, artists from across the globe are presenting theatre and music pieces focused on the power of the singular voice.
Theme and organisers’ statement
Organisers said this year’s theme, “She is here,” highlights “the strength found in solitude and the clarity of the feminine experience.” They added that the theme signifies the arrival of an artist who appears on stage “by an internal necessity to speak her truth.”
Friday programme with Vera Polozkova
On Friday, Russian poet and actress Vera Polozkova will mark her birthday with a special onstage programme at Pattihio Theatre, presenting her new album Red Thread together with composer Alexander Manotskov. The programme will feature poems, texts from her new book, and songs from the new album, with music blending pop melodies, folk traditions, Renaissance and Baroque elements, and opera.
Saturday performance honouring Lyudmila Petrushevskaya
On Saturday night, the festival will present The A Tale of the Clock and Pani Lyusya Cabaret, a two-act evening blending fairy tales and cabaret. The performance honours Lyudmila Petrushevskaya, described by organisers as widely regarded as the most influential woman in contemporary Russian literature, and aims to reflect her talent, resilience and humour.
Sunday closing performance with Fanny Ardant
The festival’s final performance on Sunday evening brings French actress Fanny Ardant to Limassol in Cassandre, a spoken opera with music by composer Michael Jarrell. The production is directed by Hervé Loichemol and is based on the novel Cassandra by Christa Wolf.
Parallel events and workshops
The festival is also holding parallel events, including a Friday workshop with performer Gabriela Muñoz on the power of silence in clown performances. Additional events include a workshop with Nils Konstantinovs combining psychological insight and performative tools for self-reflection and group dynamics, an open talk with Fanny Ardant, a late-night dialogue after the Lyudmila Petrushevskaya show, a workshop with Fyodor Pavlov-Andreevich, and a closing party.
Festival details
The third Cyprus International Theatre Festival is being held at Pattihio Theatre in Limassol, with productions under the theme “She Is Here,” and runs until March 8. More information is available at www.citf.cy.
Which festival event in Limassol are you most interested in attending?
