UK premiere of a Middle Eastern masterpiece at Arcola’s Grimeborn festival

[please note that this production is in English]

28 July 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

•  Gariné considered the masterwork of Dikran Tchoukhajian, the first opera composer of the Ottoman Empire

•  Gerald Papasian directs a semi-staging of his acclaimed adaptation for two nights only

•   Previously performed at the Theatre of Saint-Maur, Paris and the Theatre de L’Odeon, Marseille

•   Marks 140th anniversary of the opera and 100 years since the Armenian massacres

Arcola Theatre will stage the UK premiere of Gariné by Dikran Tchoukhajian, in a new adaptation by acclaimed French director Gerald Papasian. The work, which fuses European and Eastern traditions in Tchoukhajian’s pioneering style, was a major influence in the development Armenian opera. Since its composition in Turkish as Leblebici Horhor Ağa (Master Hor Hor the Chickpea Vendor) in 1875, it has been adapted three times for film, including by Nazim Hikmet.

 Now Gerald Papasian directs a semi-staging of his own adaptation. Following performances at the Theatre of Saint-Maur, Paris and the Theatre de L'Odeon, Marseille, Gariné will play at Arcola for two nights only on 14 and 15 August.

Tchouhadjian was known in his lifetime as ‘the Armenian Verdi’ and ‘the Oriental Offenbach’.

Gerald Papasian said, “I want the world to hear his music. His name being almost forgotten and he remains unknown to the westerners. Yet when it’s heard, people love it and are surprised that no one had heard him before. That’s why I am thrilled at the opportunity Mehmet Ergen and the Arcola Theatre is giving me to introduce this music to London theatregoers. It is also the best way to show that art is indeed universal and the introduction of an Armenian Composer made possible to British theatregoers by a theatre director who is of Turkish background makes eminent sense to me.”

 On its 140th anniversary of "Master Hor Hor the Chickpea Vendor”, Papasian is dedicating this production to three courageous artists who dared to break taboos of their era: Arousyak Papazian (1841-1907), an Ottoman Armenian actress considered the first professional female actor in the Ottoman Empire and thereby the entire Middle East; Şazik Köylüyan (1854-1895), the first Armenian professional opera singer and the first to play Gariné in 1875; and Afife Jale (1902 – 1941), the first Muslim theatre actress in Turkey.

The production plays as part of Arcola’s ninth Grimeborn opera festival. Since it launched in 2007, the Grimeborn festival has introduced new audiences to opera and given emerging artists the platform to showcase and develop their talent.

Remarking on the 2015 line-up, which includes a dozen productions, Arcola Artistic Director Mehmet Ergen said: “For the ninth year running, the Grimeborn festival will showcase work from some of our most exciting opera artists, in an accessible way and at an affordable price. Classics by Puccini, Verdi and Strauss will be reimagined; little-known masterpieces like Tchouhadjian’s Gariné will receive rare productions; new and contemporary works will demonstrate the ongoing vibrancy of opera within our culture.”

 Arcola Theatre Presents

UK Premiere

Gariné

by Dikran Tchouhadjian / Gerald Papasian

 

In dedication to courageous ladies:
Arousyak Papazian (1841-1907) 

Şazik Köylüyan (1854-1895)    

Afife Jale (1902 – 1941)    

Gariné is the story of Armen, an impetuous young man, who dreams of creating the first major theater company in Constantinople, to play the works of great authors, breaking with the tradition of popular street theatre. On opening night, his leading actress leaves and joins the cast of a competing troupe. Finding a replacement on such a short notice proves to be impossible. Everything seems over until Gariné arrives on the scene. Armen is inflamed with passion for her voice, but her father detests the theatre. Can she be persuaded to defy him, and to sing on opening night? Will it be Gariné that saves the day?

 

 Ticket Information and Times
Friday 14^th and Saturday 15th August at 7:30pm

Press invited to review Friday 14^th August at 7:30pm

Tickets are £10 or less with Arcola Passport

Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street London E8 3DL, www.arcolatheatre.com

£15 / £12 concessions

Box Office:  0207 503 1646

Contact: Ms. Müge Cetinkaya muge@arcolatheatre.com
Part of Grimeborn Opera Festival 2015

“London’s hippest festival of new and underground opera” Time Out“Grimeborn is a welcome effort to give a lot of rough ideas a public airing. The place was packed out with a crowd so cool and buzzing that I felt I had crashed some very hip party” Rupert Christiansen, The Daily Telegraph

-- 

Ms. Müge Çetinkaya |Audience Development (Part-time) 
Mobile: 07944616201Garine - 14th & 15th August
Arcola Theatre www.arcolatheatre.com

Now playing:
The House of Mirrors and Hearts, a haunting new chamber musical by Eamonn O'Dwyer and Rob Gilbert.

East End Boys, West End Girls, a timely and touching new play by award-winning writer Ade Solanke.

Coming soon... Grimeborn 2015, 'London's hippest festival of new and underground opera' (Time Out). See 5 operas for £50 with Arcola Passport! http://www.arcolatheatre.com/grimeborn

Arcola Theatre
24 Ashwin Street
London E8 3DL
Office: +44 (0)20 7503 1645
Box Office: +44 (0)20 7503 1646
www.arcolatheatre.com / www.facebook.com/arcolatheatre / www.twitter.com/arcolatheatre

Registered in England and Wales as a charity (number 1108613) and company limited by guarantee (number 5242988). Arcola Theatre is a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England.
Arcola aims to be the world's first carbon-neutral theatre: www.arcolatheatre.com/about/greenarcola