Theatro Technis returns for another ground breaking conference that explores the strength of British artists working in the live and recorded arts in the UK. Following up on the success of event of this kind earlier in the year a new group of speakers and topics will be discussed on Friday 7th November starting at 2pm for WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, part two.
Kerry Kyriacos Michael, the Creative Director of Theatro Technis says: “It’s really clear that our unique Cypriot voice and heritage is being ignored by the mainstream. Where are the Cypriot characters on mainstream TV, or in our theatres and in our newspapers? There is great work being done by LGR, Hellenic TV and Parikiaki. But why aren’t we also on the mainstream channels and networks? Having one very good example like “Stath Lets Flats” is not enough. There is such a mix and diversity of who we are. Our parents’ and grandparents’ stories will be lost if we don’t act, whether it’s escaping the British Empire or as economic migrants from the Commonwealth of refugees and displaced people following the 1974 war. Our special outlook of being both Cypriot and British deserve to have as much attention as others who were part of the British Empire. But most importantly we have some amazing talent coming out of our community and it deserves to shine.”
Theatro Technis was home for Cypriot artists and theatre makers since the 70s, founded by George Eugeniou who came to the UK in the late 50’s to go to drama school. The venue in the heart of Camden is now it is led by Kerry Kyriacos Michael MBE who is a director and producer, having won two Oliviers and a number of other awards and recognitions and whose work has transferred to the west end and toured the US and Europe.
The conference has announced a number of speakers including:
Andy Charles is a UK born, north London, Cypriot. He trained as an actor at Queen Mary & Westfield College and the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama. He is also a clinical psychotherapist and hypnotherapist. He runs his practice alongside his work as an Actors agent.
Athena Mandis is a second-generation Greek Cypriot award-winning filmmaker and Senior Lecturer in Film Practice at QMUL, whose journey began in theatre with the David Glass Ensemble. Her work has screened at festivals world-wide.
Cey Sesiguzel, a London-born Turkish Cypriot, is best known as the producer and director of The Divided Island, an award-winning feature-length documentary that explores the Cyprus conflict. He is the co-owner of Two Fresh Productions, alongside his Greek Cypriot co-founder, Andreas Tokkallos.
Cosh Omar is a playwright, actor, and published writer: Former writer-in-Residence at Theatre Royal Stratford East Work includes: The Battle of Green Lanes, The Great Extension both set within the London Greek and Turkish speaking Cypriot community.
Elena Yianni is a Greek Cypriot multidisciplinary artist working across theatre and film, with a focus on directing new work. Her practice engages with today’s world and its challenges, often reflecting the lives of communities she knows well – working-class families, Cypriots, women, young people, and those from council estates.
Eve Polycarpou is a performer, singer, and writer with a career spanning stage, music, and television. Eve has starred in major West End productions including In the Heights, Strictly Ballroom, and Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. She is also one half of the acclaimed music and cabaret duo Donna & Kebab.
Ioannis Maltabes is a Greek-Cypriot actor and filmmaker, with a Bachelor’s degree in Practical Filmmaking from MetFilm School and a Master’s degree in Actor and Performer Training from Rose Bruford College. He also has experience in film editing, having edited the feature film INC. (dir. Omri Dayan) and the short film adaptation of Caryl Churchill’s 7 Jewish Children (dir. Omri Dayan). He is currently writing a play about a Taxidermist.
Maria Christodoulou is a British Cypriot audio maker and sound artist based in London. Her practice explores sound as a primary medium for storytelling, particularly as a way of capturing anthropological and cultural narratives. She is the creator of From Root to Vine, the first podcast dedicated to archiving Cypriot culture and heritage in the diaspora.
Marilyn Panayi is Cypriot, born and educated in the UK. She began her academic studies with Zoological life science, comparative physiology and later developed her PhD. research in the field of cognitive science. Marilyn has worked in the arenas of education, academic therapy, rehabilitation, cultural heritage and the arts in the UK, USA and across Europe.
Sophia V is a Transgender British- Greek Cypriot writer, director, actor and producer. She trained at The London Studio Centre and The International School of Screen Acting. Her films have been selected for over 30 Film Festivals, Nationally and Internationally, qualifying her films for BAFTA and BIFA consideration and earning numerous awards.
Yeliz Zaifoglu is a London-born Cypriot artist working in photography, film & archives exploring identity, culture, and human experience. Deeply influenced by her Cypriot heritage, she uses visual storytelling to challenge norms and highlight underrepresented narratives, particularly those surrounding intimate moments, queerness and diaspora through an analogue lens.
On the agenda includes looking at the opportunities and who are the gatekeepers? Where is the funding- is it in the UK, EU, Cyprus or beyond? A debate on is there a different set of needs for the younger generation compared to those who first came to the UK and pitching opportunities for those in the audiences and the chance to make connections.
There will also be a recap on what was said on the first event that was held in February 2025.
The conference will end at 6pm with complimentary refreshments and networking, but all attendees are welcome to stay and attend what the theatre is boasting as the very first of its kind- a CYPRIOT OPEN MIC COMEDY NIGHT, hosted by Olga Thompson, starting at 7:30pm.
The whole day is being sponsored by www.cypriotwhoswho.com
