Tea Ceremony with interpretation in GSL

Have you ever been in a seemingly perfect tea ceremony where the harmony is broken revealing a harsh truth?

The internationally acclaimed “Tea Ceremony” returns to Athens and Artiria Athens with interpretation in Greek Sign Language by liminal for 2 performances, on 10 and 11 May 2025.

Poster of the performance “The Tea Ceremony”. A person with male features is disguised as a geisha. His black hair is caught in an elaborate high bun, his face painted white, his eyebrows and lips fuchsia. He wears a denim jacket open in the front and jeans with floral galoshes. He sits on his heels with his elbow resting on his right knee and his hand gently touching his right cheek. He looks up at the lens with a stern expression. The blurred background that appears to be in motion contrasts with the static image of the geisha. Above and around him, only a teapot and a fallen vase with a flower stand out. In white letters in the center/left is the title “The Tea Ceremony”. On the right it reads "Directed by Achim Wieland, On stage: Marios Ioannou".

About The Tea Ceremony

Who takes care of the tea we drink? Who worked to make our cups, our clothes, our phones? And at what cost?

Geisha Kikunohana – also known as “Blooming Chrysanthemum”

The monologue “The Tea Ceremony”, written by Achim Wieland and Mario Ioannou (SRSLY yours) travelled for six years in Europe with great success. After a cycle of successful performances in Athens, The Tea Ceremony concludes its run in Athenian venues with two accessible performances for Deaf and hard of hearing audiences with Greek Sign Language interpretation.

At The Tea Ceremony, the Greek audience comes into contact with the Far East and the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese ceremony. With humor and tenderness, Geisha Kikunohana, or “Blooming Chrysanthemum”, transports us to a silky setting and a special journey of inner quest.

On a stage, a geisha with her face painted white and her black hair caught in an elaborate bun is kneeling in profile over thin strips of white paper covering the black floor. With a wave of her hand that tugs at the wide sleeve of her colorful kimono she lifts the small pieces of paper in front of her creating a paper snowstorm. Behind her in a video projection are vague images of piles of objects as if in a garbage dump and young black boys carrying square baskets on their heads across a desert land.

Through intense improvisational and interactive elements, we explore key questions about the origins of our goods. The performance utilizes atmospheric imagery to reveal the harsh reality behind the glamour of consumption. Beyond aesthetics, the show touches on our existential confusion: we know about the barbarism, but we remain part of it. Is there a way out?

They said about The Tea Ceremony

The Tea Ceremony is a sorrowful song, a mute scream, a small microscopic cry in the midst of an excruciating noise.

Tommaso Chimenti, Il Recensito, 2019 1st Prize of the Jury at the Milan Festival (MilanoOff 2020)

The Tea Ceremony began as an authentic representation of Japanese ceremony, but evolved into a bittersweet, immersive experience through interaction, spontaneity and honesty.

In a room with a light-colored wooden floor a man with male features disguised as a geisha stands upright with a stern look, staring at something down right as if something has caught his attention. His black hair is caught in an elaborate high bun, his skin is dyed white and his lips are red. He wears a shiny kimono with wide gray sleeves and a pattern of blooming chrysanthemums stretching all the way down. Behind him on a projection screen are seen lean bodies of black people in a desert landscape carrying baskets on their heads.

This round of performances in Athens is dedicated to the memory of Achim Wieland, the visionary director and dramaturg of the show, as well as the creator of the SRSLY_yours Ensemble, who passed away unexpectedly during performances of the play in Sicily.

Credits

Direction / Dramaturgy: Achim Wieland
Interpretation: Marios Ioannou
Text: Achim Wieland, Marios Ioannou
Translation in Greek: Marios Ioannou, Kostis Megalis, Roula Stratou
Scenography: Achim Wieland
Costumes: Ioanna Tsami
Movement: Alexis Vasileiou
Choreography: Zuiou Shinozuka
Light and Sound: Marios Ioannou
Reception: Stephanie Neophytou
Music for the song of the show: Andreas Vouliakis
Lyrics, rap: Kostis Megalis (AlphA of AlphA )
Song: Stephanie Neophytou
Contact / Promotion: Ileana Nicholson, Kostis Megalis, Andreas Pavlou, Marios Ioannou
Graphics and video: Andreas Pavlou
Promotion Photos: Marco Paparella, Achim Wieland, Flavio Bruno

Production: liminal

Accessibility Credits

Interpretation in Greek Sign Language: Androniki Xanthopoulou
Coordination of Accessibility Services: liminal

Useful Information

Accessible performances: 10 and 11 May 2025 at 21:00
Duration: 70 minutes
Location: Artiria Athens, 13 Leocharous Street, Athens – Second Floor +30 6976924637
Reservations at more.com