CULTURE

The final curtain for Chorika, Zouzou Nikoloudi’s dance troupe

“Even words seem dance when one is trying to write about Zouzou Nikoloudi. The words refuse to obey the pen. This is the beginning of dance.» This was Giorgos Lazanis’s description of dancer and choreographer Zouzou Nikoloudi when the two of them collaborated, years ago, in the legendary performance of Aristophanes’ «Birds,» a Theatro Technis production directed by Karolos Koun. In a few days, the part of Aidona, which Nikoloudi created and performed for the first time, will be performed for the last. Although Nikoloudi is no longer a dancer, she will watch the performance of her dance group, Chorika, seated in the first row and taking notes, as always. Chorika, a group which has left its mark on the history of dance in Greece, is giving its final performances at the Chora Theater, until May 19. Nikoloudi, the grande dame of Greek dance, currently 86 years old, recently underwent a serious heart operation and decided to wind up her company. This final set of performances is divided into two parts. The first part, called «Music,» first opened at the Athens Concert Hall two years ago and will continue until Saturday. Nikoloudi emphasized music’s leading role in the choreography. «The concept behind the choreography, as well as the shape of these choreographic compositions, was born out of music. Dancers’ bodies are the means to perform the music… Movement becomes an extension of music.» «Music» consists of 10 choreographies to pieces by Chopin, Bach and Scarlatti, among others. The second part of the performance series is a show called «Chorika,» which will be presented from Sunday to May 19 and includes extracts from Aeschylus’ «Agamemnon,» Euripides’ «Bacchae» and Aristophanes’ «Birds.» The choreography is by Nikoloudi and the music by Nikiforos Rotas, Giorgos Kouroupos and Manos Hadjidakis. Dancers include Mariza Tsiga, Victoria Tassopoulou, Vanessa Andrikopoulou, Katerina Alexandri and Lila Vlasserou. Chora Theater, 20 Amorgou, Kypseli, tel 210.867.3945, 210.864.3088.

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