Cops and Robbers

The first phase of the choreographic research “Cops and Robbers”, by Manolis Saridakis and Medie Megas, concludes with two open activities.

Together with their team, they invite you to an open presentation of the research on Sunday, 18 January, followed by a dance workshop for both professional and amateur dancers on Saturday, 24 January.

In a spacious room with a grey floor, a tall man is chasing a blonde woman, laughing. In the background, a woman in a wheelchair, a man, and a woman are holding hands, while another woman watches them attentively, her body turned towards them. — Photo © Gkikas Melachrinos

Did you ever play “Cops and Robbers” in your neighborhood streets as a child?

After his first work, “Do Robots Have Emotions?”, Manolis Saridakis, the first learning disabled and autistic choreographer in Greece, returns with a new idea, maintaining his keen insight in identifying critical social issues. liminal supports his new project, taking on the executive production.

I am interested in the ‘Cops and Robbers’ game for two reasons: first because my sister and I used to play it when we were children and secondly because when I watch television and I see robbers and policemen on the news, I feel afraid.

– Manolis Saridakis

Building on the familiar children’s game, Saridakis and Mega, together with their team, spent three months conducting research, exploring a range of pressing issues: how children play today, their social interactions, their relationship with nature and public spaces, as well as concepts such as “safety”, rules, and ideas of good and evil in contemporary life.

The main questions of the research were:

Why did Saridakis choose to explore this subject?
How does our remarkable and diverse team play the game?
How did we move from the “fair game” to “creative accessibility”?

As in “Do Robots Have Emotions?” Saridakis’s personal experience collides with the emotions caused by the complex world that surrounds him. Increasing violence and aggression in public and private spaces and the inescapable reality of wars in Europe and the Middle East, cause emotions in Manolis which he comes to manage through the classic game “Cops and Robbers”. In the end, it is Saridakis’s need to connect with other people through play and the joy sparked by the game, which prevail.

– Medie Megas

Open activities

Open presentation of the research

Sunday, 18 January, 17:30–19:30
An open presentation for the public, where the creators will discuss the idea and process behind the research and demonstrate how they play “Cops and Robbers”.

Dance workshop

Saturday, 24 January, 11:30–13:30
A workshop for dancers with and without disabilities, whether professional or amateur, centered on the themes of the game.

ℹ️ Both open activities will take place at RootlessRoot’s studio (Helmou 11, Neo Iraklio). Participation is free.

👉 There will be simultaneous interpretation in Greek Sign Language.

To register, please send an email to [email protected]

Credits

Concept: Manolis Saridakis
Choreographic research: Medie Megas and Manolis Saridakis in collaboration with the dancers
Dancers: Irini Kourouvani, Isimini Slijper, Olympia Antonena, Christos Christakopoulos, Manolis Saridakis, Medie Mega
Observer / writer: Maria Papadopoulou
Sound / music: Chrysanthos Christodoulou
Video / photo documentation: Gkikas Melachrinos

Production: Shared Productions
Executive production: liminal

The original concept of the work belongs to Manolis Saridakis.

The creation of the work emerges from the collaboration between Medie Megas and Manolis Saridakis with the dancers, the musician, and the researcher of the team.

The research workshop was officially titled: “The Choreographic Potential of Classic Games”.

The first phase of this work has been funded by the Greek Ministry of Culture Creative Greece 2025 program in the category of “Funding for actions and programs that promote full accessibility to disabled people in 2025”.