photo by Robert Crowe
Lazaros Theodorakopoulos produces and stars in the tour-de-force solo play, NIGHT JUST BEFORE THE FOREST by the acclaimed French playwright Bernard-Marie Koltès, translated by Timothy Johns and directed by Bill Bowers, at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival on September 6th at 7:30pm. Time & Peace Café and Gallery – 36 S 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
In this stream-of-consciousness monologue, a man scours his easily distracted mind to find a path through his life. Lazaros Theodorakopoulos creates an entire world through the text and through his command of physical theater and the use of props, drawing the audience along on this journey at a frenetic pace. The whole production is squeezed into a suitcase that holds all the lights, costumes and props.
NIGHT JUST BEFORE THE FOREST (1977) was Koltès’ first widely acclaimed play. He is considered to be heir to Samuel Beckett, Jean Cocteau and Jean Genet and his plays have been translated into more than 36 languages. Koltès died of complications from AIDS in 1989.
Learn more – www.thelazaros.com
Ticket prices: General Admission $22, Students $17
Originally from Greece, Theodorakopoulos has been an actor in NYC and Greece for twelve years and began collaborating on this production with Bill Bowers in 2021. Both studied acting at the legendary William Esper Studio.
Bill Bowers (director) is an American mime artist and actor based in New York City. As an actor, mime and educator, Bill has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. www.bill-bowers.com
In the US, Timothy Johns’ translation (1982) was first read by Gilbert Price on June 13, 1983 at Ubu Repertory Theater in New York and first performed by Kevin V. Smith (directed by E Barnick) in 2012 at Viaduct Theater in Chicago.
Theodorakopoulos produced and starred in the 2022 New York premiere of Koltes’ play (in another English translation) at the Archdiocesan Hellenic Cultural Center. The 2024 USA-CANADA tour, which began in New York on April 5 2024, is Theodorakopoulos’ second run of “La Nuit juste avant les forêts” by Bernard-Marie Koltès, translated by Timothy Johns and includes Bernard-Marie Koltès premiere in Oregon, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Maryland.
2024 USA/CANADA TOUR
April 5,6,12,13 at Mabou Mines Studio in NYC
April 27, 28 at Oregon Fringe Festival in OREGON
July 24-27 at Borderlight Theater Festival in OHIO
August 1 at Stella Adler Studio in NYC
August 8-11 at Guelph Fringe Festival in CANADA
August 12-18 at St Lou Fringe Festival in MISSOURI
September 6 at Philadelphia Fringe Festival in PENNSYLVANIA
September 27-29 at Charm City Fringe Festival in MARYLAND
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lazarostheodorakopoulos/
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