December 2023
2 SAT 19:55 (194’)
Dead Man Walking I The MET: Live in HD
Jake Heggie’s powerful work has its highly anticipated Met premiere in a new production by Ivo van Hove. Based on Sister Helen Prejean’s memoir about her fight for the soul of a condemned murderer, Dead Man Walking matches the high drama of its subject with Heggie’s poignant music and a libretto by Tony and Emmy Award-winner Terrence McNally. Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin takes the podium, with mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato starring as Sister Helen. The cast also features bass-baritone Ryan McKinny as the death-row inmate Joseph De Rocher, soprano Latonia Moore as Sister Rose, and mezzo-soprano Susan Graham—who sang Helen Prejean in the opera’s 2000 premiere—as De Rocher’s mother.
Librettist: Terrence McNally
Production: Ivo van Hove
Set and Lighting Designer: Jan Versweyveld
Costume Designer: An D’Huys
Projection Designer: Christopher Ash
Sound Designer: Tom Gibbons
Yannick Nézet-Séguin (Conductor), Latonia Moore (Sister Rose), Joyce DiDonato (Sister Helen Prejean), Susan Graham (Mrs. Patrick De Rocher), Ryan McKinny (Joseph De Rocher).
With English subtitles.
Tickets: € 20 / 15
3 SUN 18:00 (150’)
Life of Pi I NT Live
The Rialto Theatre kickstarts the new NT Live season offering a unique opportunity to the local audience to watch the best of British theatre.
Puppetry, magic and storytelling combine in a unique, Olivier Award-winning stage adaptation by Lolita Chakrabarti of Yann’s Martel best-selling novel.
After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, a 16-year-old boy named Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them, nature is harsh, who will survive?
Filmed live in London’s West End and featuring state-of-the-art visuals, the epic journey of endurance and hope is brought to life in a breath-taking new way for cinemas screens. A production from Simon Friend Entertainment.
Synopsis: A young boy, Piscine Patel, known as Pi, grows up as the son of the manager of a zoo in Pondicherry, India. Pi is fascinated by the animals at the zoo, including a Royal Bengal tiger, called Richard Parker due to a clerical error in which the tiger’s name was switched with the name of its human captor. Raised a Hindu and a vegetarian, Pi contemplates the various benefits and drawbacks of different religions, to the dismay of his parents.
Pi’s father decides to sell the zoo and emigrate with his wife and children to Canada. The family board the Tsimtsum, a Japanese freighter transporting their animals to North America. On its journey, the ship encounters a storm and sinks, killing most of its occupants. Pi escapes in a small lifeboat alongside a hyena, an injured zebra, an orangutan, and the tiger. The hyena kills the zebra and the orangutan before Richard Parker kills and eats the hyena. Pi slowly trains the tiger, using food to reinforce nonthreatening behaviour. With resources low, Pi catches fish and eats a turtle with Richard Parker to stay alive.
In a state of delirium, Pi hears what he believes to be the voice of Richard Parker talking back to him. It is actually the French cook from the ship, who tries to attack Pi but is instead himself killed by Richard Parker.
Later the boat comes ashore on an island inhabited by thousands of meerkats. Pi greedily eats the food available on the island, but upon realising that the island is carnivorous, he and Richard Parker are forced to return to the ocean. Eventually the boat washes up on a beach in Mexico. Richard Parker disappears into the jungle without looking back, while Pi is rescued by locals.
In the present, Pi is questioned by staff at a hospital, as he is the sole survivor of the shipwreck. They reject his story as unbelievable. Pi offers a second story, this time in which he is aboard the lifeboat with his mother, the ship’s cook, and a sailor with a broken leg. The cook kills the sailor and Pi’s mother before Pi finally kills the cook. The investigators note the parallels between the stories, realising the hyena symbolises the cook, the zebra the sailor, the orangutan Pi’s mother, and the tiger represents Pi. As neither story can be proven true, Pi asks the investigators which story they prefer. They choose the story with animals.
Director: Max Webster
Set and Costume Designer: Tim Hatley
Puppet and Movement Director: Finn Caldwell
Puppetry Designers: Nick Barnes, Finn Caldwell
Video Designer: Andrzej Goulding
Lighting Designer: Tim Lutkin
Sound Design: Carolyn Downing
Composer: Andrew T. Mackay
Cast: Hiran Abeysekera, Mina Anwar, Tom Espiner, Kirsten Foster
Raj Ghatak, Nicholas Khan, Syreeta Kumar, Payal Mistry, Habib Nasib Nader
With Greek and English subtitles.
Tickets: € 20 / 15
5 TUE 20:30 (110’)
Silver Lining - Sandi Toksvig Ι Satiriko Theatre
At a retirement house in Gravesend, amidst a state of emergency due to severe weather conditions, five elderly women and their young female caretaker remain helpless, forgotten and trapped. On this dark and stormy night, they start sharing memories, secrets and concerns, remembering their wrongful and rightful lives. When they are suddenly faced with the realisation that no one will help them out, they decide to take their lives into their own hands and make their own “exodus”.
The Silver Lining is “a punch to the stomach” criticising the ills of our society, while satirically highlighting the voids of our system and its disregard towards a certain group of people who, for some, may be nothing but a burden, instead of being the pillar of our existence and legacy, ending up shunted aside and ignored.
Six wonderful women, abandoned to loneliness and sorrow, are struggling to survive. Amidst tensions, emotions and twists, but also with endless humour, they build up a meaningful relationship, which gradually develops due to the stressful floods, drawing on the strength of their knowledge and wisdom. Through their experience, they give life lessons while continuing to struggle for the future, in an attempt to choose the best path forward. To them, life must not end in entrapment and disregard. Being an elderly human does not mean being boring, unnecessary or “finished”.
Directed by: Neoklis Neokleous
Translated by: Marianna Kafkaridou, Estella Tembrioti
Set design: Savvas Mylonas
Costume design: Rea Olympiou
Music arrangement: Marianna Kafkaridou
Lighting design: Karolina Spyrou
Assistant director: Maria Pishili
Photographs/Trailer: Christina Tryfonos
Poster and programme design: Marios Christoforidis
Set construction: Yiorgos Christianopoulos
Cast: Despina Bebedeli, Lenia Sorokou, Popi Avraam, Erica Beyeti, Ioanna Shafkali, Chrystallenia Papadimitri, Michalis Anayiotos.
In Greek.
Tickets: €15 / 12 (supporters, students, pensioners)
8, 9 FRI, SAT 19:30
10th Cyprus Jazz & World Music Showcase
The Department of Modern and Contemporary Culture of the Deputy Ministry of Culture and the Rialto Theatre organise the 10th Cyprus Jazz & World Music Showcase, presenting a comprehensive and dynamic picture of the local contemporary music scene.
Featuring: Odysseas Toumazou Origins, S.G.C (Soulful Groove Collective), Krama Brass Band, Erica Soteri, Kalesma, Loud Urban Soul Teachers, SONICA, Eleonora Roussou. The following bands will present their music at Art Studio 55: Alexis Sunder, Nikos Charalambous, Chunky Funky Electro Funk Quartet, Nama Dama.
Tickets: €10 / 8 (€15 2-day pass)
12 TUE 20:30 (135’)
Wuthering Heights | Anemona Theatre
Irene Maradey’s theatrical adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel. Cathy's father brings home a young orphan, Heathcliff, to live with his two children as an adopted son. The older brother, Hidley, harbours a great dislike and jealousy towards the newcomer, and after his father’s death, treats him with brutality, forcing him to work in the stables and live with the servants. However, Cathy and Heathcliff fall deeply in love, developing a strong bond from the very beginning. Growing up, they dream of a future together, yet Cathy chooses to marry Edgar Lyndon, a wealthy neighbour, to ensure her future prosperity. Heathcliff, deeply hurt and disappointed, leaves the Earnshaw house to return a few years later having become rich. Yet Cathy finds it difficult to leave Edgar for Heathcliff, so he sets up a plan to revenge, causing severe damages to both families and to the lives of all the characters, including his own.
Directed by: Andreas Telemachou
Sets-Costumes: Sose Eskidjian
Music editing: Andreas Telemachou
Lighting Design: Vassilis Petinaris
Videoart: Giannis Savvidis
Art director: Andreas Telemachou
Actors: Marinos Xenophontos, Eleni Anastasiou, Elena Chileti, Nikolas Petrou, Savvas Menikou, Fani Sokratous, Claudio Dimonu, George Iosif.
In Greek
Tickets: € 15 / 10
13, 14 WED, THU, 20.30 (100’) On Stage
The Bodies we swore Ι Lia Haraki
On the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the pelma.Lia Haraki works, the piece will be based on the company’s archive and will be developing throughout the evening based on the audience’s reflections and memories. Characters, songs and performative moments from the works will often be interrupting this process.
The piece is a part of the Rialto’s Associate Artist Scheme and is supported by the Deputy Ministry of Culture 2023.
Tickets: € 10 / 7
15 FRI 20:30 (70’)
Christmas with Marios Tokas Limassol Music School
The Limassol Music School presents a festive concert in collaboration with the Rialto Theatre with the participation of the Symphony Band, the Improvisation Ensemble and the Music School’s Choir.
Conductors and teachers: Theodoros Krassidis, Yiorgos Hadjigeorgiou, Yiorgos Krassidis, Eleni Kyprianou.
Tickets: € 5
16 SAT 19:00 (180’)
Andre Rieu’s White Christmas
For many, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. This year it will come early with André Rieu’s cinema special White Christmas—a celebration you will never forget.
From the first jingled bell, you will be immersed in the incomparable Christmas atmosphere of André’s winter wonderland. Marvel at the magnificently decorated Christmas palace, complete with snow, two ice rinks, gorgeous winter scenes, romantic lighting, red carpet, countless lights, 150 beautiful chandeliers and over 50 Venetian candelabras.
Savour the spirit of the season while singing and dancing in the aisles to timeless Christmas carols, romantic waltzes and beautiful songs from all over the world — Jingle Bells, Ave Maria, Oh Holy Night, Hallelujah, Sleigh Ride and many more! Cinema audiences will also enjoy exclusive backstage access, as cinema host Charlotte Hawkins speaks with André about creating his musical winter wonderland. It’s a perfect early Christmas present for André fans!
Join André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra for their brand new Christmas concert from the comfort of your local cinema.
An unforgettable festive treat for the whole family! Get your tickets now for André Rieu’s White Christmas!
Tickets: €15 / 10
17 SUN 20:00 (65’)
Satanerie – Theophrastos Sakellaridis Ι Epilogi Cultural Movement
The hilarious Satanerie operette by Theophrastos Sakellaridis is a morality play that contrasts hell with paradise, boldly and ironically highlighting the benefits of modern over traditional immorality. Narrating the story of Andreas, an unfortunate fellow at the crossroads of virtue and evil, the play satirises the relevant yet timeless impunity when the character decides to choose Hell after having received a tour to the underworld by Satan himself!
Directed, adapted by: Angela Kleopatra Saroglou
Music arrangement: Michalis Grigoriou
Soloists: Mariza Anastasiadi, Marios Andreou, Stelios Georgiou, Tasoula Vorka, Giorgos Kalamakis, Odysseas Alexandrides
Epilogi Choir
Five-member orchestra
Tickets: € 15 / 12
22 FRI 20:00 (80’)
Christmas with Kyrenia Opera
Celebrate Christmas with Kyrenia Opera on Friday, December 22, 2023 at 20:00.
The evening will feature the joyous singing of two of Kyrenia Opera’s award winners, sopranos Elena Patsalidou and Angelique Savvas, along with bass baritone Andreas Zenios and boy soprano Cristian Ionel. The beautiful voices of Ipsonas Municipality Children’s Choir join Kyrenia Opera for this holiday celebration.
Works by Dvořák, Puccini, Rossini, Saint-Saëns, and others.
Bring your family to participate in a holiday sing-along with general director Constantinos Yiannoudes. Santa will make a special visit at the majestic Rialto Theatre.
A perfect way to share in the spirit of Christmas.
Tickets: €15 /10 (Students, soldiers, supporters) Children up to 12 free.
23 SAT 19:55 (155’)
Florencia en el Amazonas I The MET: Live in HD
Sung in Spanish and inspired by the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez, Mexican composer Daniel Catán’s 1996 opera focuses on an opera diva, Florencia Grimaldi, who returns to her native Brazil to perform and to search for her lost lover, who has vanished into the jungle. The Met premiere stars soprano Ailyn Pérez as Florencia in a new production by Mary Zimmerman that brings the mystical realm of the Amazon to the Met stage. The distinguished ensemble of artists portraying the diva’s fellow travelers on the river boat to Manaus features Gabriella Reyes as the journalist Rosalba, bass-baritone Greer Grimsley as the ship’s captain, baritone Mattia Olivieri as his enigmatic first mate, tenor Mario Chang as the captain’s nephew Arcadio, and mezzo-soprano Nancy Fabiola Herrera and baritone Michael Chioldi as the feuding couple Paula and Álvaro, with Yannick Nézet-Séguin on the podium.
Production: Mary Zimmerman
Set Designer: Riccardo Hernandez
Costume Designer: Ana Kuzmanic
Lighting Designer: T.J. Gerckens
Projection Designer: S. Katy Tucker
Choreographer: Alex Sanchez
Yannick Nézet-Séguin (Conductor), Ailyn Pérez (Florencia Grimaldi), Gabriella Reyes (Rosalba), Nancy Fabiola Herrera (Paula), Mario Chang (Arcadio), Michael Chioldi (Álvaro), Mattia Olivieri (Riolobo), Greer Grimsley (Captain)
With English subtitles
Tickets: € 20 / 15
28 THU 18:30 & 20:30 (50’) On Stage (+16)
Say Yes! again and again I Evie Demetriou
Say Yes! again and again is a performance exploring topics of identity and gender in a playful and empowering way. Two performers on stage, through physicality and linguistic forms, share personal experiences that shaped them as persons to explore social norms, queer subjectivities and normative pressures. The research for the performance started with the work Say Yes!, which has since been continued, concluding with the performance Say yes again and again! Join us for an evening of critically engaging with the political through an optimistic and pleasurable atmosphere.
Choreography: Evie Demetriou in collaboration with the performers Bas van der Kruk, Eleftheria Sokratous and Rania Glymitsa.
Sponsored by the Cultural Services of the Deputy Ministry of Culture within the framework of the Terpsichore programme 2023.
Tickets: € 7 / 5
