The Prince and the Pauper (2015)

One of the masterpieces of the world’s greatest writers, Mark Twain, “The Prince and the Pauper” comes to life in the Avakio Theater by Avanti Troupe. Kelly Stamoylaki undersigns the text and the direction. A fairytale that touches the child’s sensitive soul and makes them think about social inequality between the rich and the poor.

Companion of the creator is once again the beloved musician Lavrentis Mahairitsas. Melina Cana and Constantina alternate in the main role of Moussa, who accompanies the story with music, along with Tasos Halkias, Orestis Trikas, Dimitris Stamatelopoulos, Niki Grana and fifteen great actors, actresses, performers, singers and dancers.

The Story

Two kids who look exactly the same decide to exchange and live each other’s lives. One boy is the prince, the successor to the throne, and the other is Tom, a poor beggar. At that point a series of incredible puzzles and unexpected exciting adventures will begin that will lead us to seek justice.

How easy is it to be a prince? And how easy is it to be poor? What is it like to live without joy? What is it like to live without money? And if the roles were reversed? Would everyone be happy?

Kelly Stamoulaki in her long career at children’s theater has proven to serve this difficult kind of theater well; Together with her collaborators she gives a fresh, contemporary point of view to a classic work, full of joy, humor, fast dialogues, exciting action that keeps the interest of the children and their parents alive.

Lavrentis Mahairitsas has created a magical background of notes on the well-crafted fairy-tale lyrics that resemble a Shakespearean sonnet. The orchestration is undertaken by Maurikius Maurikiou, who will accompany the action on the piano along with other musicians since live music is a main part of the stage.

The theater is flooded with sounds of melodic instruments such as classical piano and accordion, synchronized violins and cello, trumpet bass, rhythm guitar, harmonious flutes, melodic fiddle, melodic ukulele and others, flute, harmonica, mandolin, clarinet, percussion instruments, trumpet, drum making a dreamy celebration of sounds.

The theatrical scene takes place in the fairytale era of the 16th century and the sets of Despina Volidis, which perfectly combine with the works of distinguished painters, emphasize the entertaining and educational character of the play and surprise us as they come alive on stage in front of our eyes! The colorful costumes of Despina Kolokotsa come to add their own colors to the visual artistic environment.

Creators:

Text-Direction: Kelly Stamoulaki

Music: Lavrentis Mahairitsas

Sets: Despina Volidi

Costumes: Despina Kolokotsa

Orchestration: Maurikius Maurikiou

Choreographies: Jenny Topsidou

Lighting: Vasilis Pouftis

Assistant Director: Pavlos Emmanouilides

Choreographer’s Assistant: Panos Topsidis

Special Constructions: Elena Papadimitriou, Despina Kolokotsa

Set Constructor: Theodoros Mourtas

Make – up Artist: Penny Lykoudi

Hairstyles: Gino Hairandmore

Public Relations: Eleni Torou, Eleni Vlachopoulou, Stella Formozi

Artistic Director: Kelly Stamoulaki

Cast acting-singing-dancing: Melina Cana / Constantina, Tasos Halkias, Orestes Trikas, Dimitris Stamatelopoulos, Niki Grana, Lefteris Tsatsis, Pavlos Emmanouilides, Panos Topsidis, Eleni Karveli, Angeliki Pardalidou, Nikos Paraskevopoulos, Daphne Kafetzi, Elena Papadimitriou, George Samaras

On the piano Maurikius Maurikiou