Taxithi, An Australian Odyssey, produced and presented by fortyfivedownstairs is a poem to life…. a return after a sold out original season in March, this year.
Poem |ˈpəʊɪm|
Noun
“a piece of writing in which the expression of feelings and ideas is given intensity by particular attention to diction (sometimes involving rhyme), rhythm, and imagery.”
fortyfivedownstairs is a welcoming and expansive subterranean theatre space on Flinders Lane, Melbourne. The open stage area is simply dotted with billowing sails of plain material. The three actresses are simply dressed in black. The piano and bouzouki sit behind, in the shadows, providing the accompaniment. Voices are heard from the wings: evocative, stirring, yearning. And so it begins…
Taxithi reveals the untold, true stories of Greek women who migrated to Australia in the fifties and sixties. It is not difficult to find interesting stories to tell. The real difficulty is finding the method in which the stories are best served in a theatrical context. Helen Yotis Patterson has written a poem. And this beautifully written work is lovingly brought to life within the context of a theatre space.
Helen Yotis Patterson, Artemis Ioannides and Maria Mercedes play Fate 1, Fate 2 and Fate 3. There titles alone suggest an uncertain future, full of danger and possibilities.
This play is a poem. It is an elegy to people long gone. It is a song of challenges and strength, of loss and tragic disappointment, and journeys to places new and sometimes familiar, of love lost and found. It is, above all, a very timely and universal tale.
WATCH OUT STAGE DOOR JOHNNY VIDEO INTERVIEWS HERE
The director, Petra Kalive, has managed to allow this piece to reveal itself, on one hand as a personal message, while at the same time, text is illuminated with sepia images, floating lovingly above the action, as if our thoughts are in communion. The audience were transfixed, not just by the crystal clear performances by these talented actresses; but by the honesty with which every element is gently, and yet powerful, performed.
Maria Mercedes is a sparkling gem of the Australian theatre scene. She has graced the stage in roles that would challenge any actress. Her intense presence piercing, yet able to gently break your heart. To see Maria Mercedes flanked by two actresses that not only compliment her, and the story, is exciting; the compound effect is theatrical magic.
All the songs are performed in Greek, with music written by Andrew Patterson. It is a score of authentic Greek sounds, with clear musical messages and touchstones. The Bouzouki played by Jacob Papadopoulos added great authenticity and musicality. A special mention must go to Darius Kedros, John Ford and Rachel Burke, for their simple and effective design, full of shadows and silhouettes, whispers and memories, space and time.
Taxithi is not only satisfying theatre, from the heart, it is important theatre. See it.
Running until August 14th…. hurry!