Ιn collaboration with the British Embassy in Athens and the Greek Film Archive, we lift the curtain in Athens on the world of the National Theatre (NT) and invite you to a unique screening of Nation, a highly successful NT production, currently on stage at the Olivier Theatre in London.
The screening is taking place as part of a pioneering global National Theatre project, NT Live, in which an international audience of tens of thousands people – across more than 21 countries and 330 cinemas and theatre venues around the world – will have the opportunity to attend a satellite broadcast or screening of a series of selected productions presented by London’s internationally acclaimed theatre company.
Using the possibilities arising from new technology, NT Live aims to give unparalleled access to the best of British talent to audiences around the world. Renowned globally for its vibrant arts scene, British theatre combines a time-honoured theatrical tradition that goes back to Shakespearean times with fresh and dynamic work.
NT Live is the brainchild of current National Theatre Artistic Director Nicholas Hytner and Producer David Sabel, who wanted to push the boundaries of the traditional theatre experience and give audiences who would not normally be able to access British theatre the chance to experience it firsthand.
Terry Pratchett, the author of Nation, is one of the world’s best loved authors. His work includes the Discworld series of 36 novels, which have sold over 60 million copies worldwide and are published in thirty-seven languages. Terry Pratchett has won numerous literary awards including the Carnegie Medal and was knighted in the 2009 New Year’s Honours List. Nation was published in 2008 and was longlisted for The Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize for 2009.
The stage production of Nation comes as Britain experiences a blockbuster period for British children’s fiction. From J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter to Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials, British children’s fiction is finding new audiences all over the world thanks to hugely successful movie franchises.
Melly Still, director of the stage production, says: ‘Terry Pratchett wrote Nation for young adults, but old adults are equally engrossed by the book and the same goes for the theatre production. It’s magical watching audiences of all ages – I've seen people aged 10 to 90 transported by this whirlwind adventure.’
Nation is a witty and challenging adventure story of survival and self-discovery set in a parallel world in 1860. It tells the tale of two teenagers thrown together by a tsunami. Mau wears next to nothing and Daphne wears a long white dress. Neither speaks the other’s language, but must learn to survive. Together they come of age, overseen by a foul-mouthed parrot, as they discard old doctrine to forge a new Nation.
Nation is being screened with Greek subtitles and is suitable for families with children aged 10 and over.
Admission is free following reservation. To book seats, call: 210 369 2336.
