Strong – A powerful one woman show delving into the overlooked world of carers, grief, love and loss.
Strong returns to the stage this March following a successful, sold-out debut at the SEEN Lewisham Festival in October 2026. The powerful work of British-Cypriot writer and director Maria Georgiou, features an all British-Cypriot creative team.
Based on a true story, Strong is a one-woman show that delves into the complexities of loss, faith, grief, joy, hope, and resilience in the face of adversity. Through the eyes of Elena, a British Greek Cypriot single mother of two played by Maria-Anna Kyriacou, the audience is taken on an emotional yet bittersweet journey, filled with both humour and heartbreak.
Elena’s world is turned upside down when her 15-year-old daughter Lia is diagnosed with cancer. Thrust into a new and unfamiliar reality, she struggles to juggle her spiralling career, endless hospital visits, and the demands of her well-intentioned but often overwhelming Greek Cypriot family — all during the uncertainty of a global pandemic.
To process these overwhelming events, Elena takes to walking. As she walks, she shares her fears and stories, sometimes through her thoughts and other times through voice-notes to her best friend Charoulla, voiced by Louise Mary. The emotional weight of her journey is symbolised by the growing number of objects she carries on stage, representing the cultural, personal, and emotional burdens she shoulders.
Despite the heaviness of her circumstances, Strong is ultimately a celebration of the human capacity to endure, adapt, and find hope even in the darkest moments. It reminds us that there is strength in vulnerability, love, laughter, and simply putting one foot in front of the other.
Maria Georgiou, Writer and Director of Strong says:
“Strong is based on my personal story of navigating my teenage daughter’s cancer diagnosis and explores the often-overlooked world of parents who care for a sick child, shedding light on the voices of caregivers that often go unheard. I am absolutely thrilled to present my work at The Etcetera Theatre, as part of the Camden Women Writers Festival and look forward to welcoming new audiences to Strong.”
For tickets and further information about the venue see here: https://www.citizenticket.com/events/etcetera-theatre/strong/
Performance Details
📍 The Etcetera Theatre, above The Oxford Arms Pub, 265 Camden High Street, London, N1 7BU
📅 1st – 4th March 2026 and the 9th March 2026
Part of The Camden Women Writers Festival at The Etcetera Theatre. The Festival responds to ongoing underrepresentation of women playwrights on UK stages. By providing a dedicated platform, we champion voices that need to be heard and create space for audiences to engage with new stories and perspectives.