Small sins of a great writer
The National Theater’s Experimental Stage will be transformed into modern Middle America this week as the Dodekati Nychta (Twelfth Night) theater company stages «Small, Silly Sins,» a play based on three short stories by the late American writer Raymond Carver: «Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?» «Gazebo» and «Sacks.» Carver, born in 1938 in the Oregon state logging town of Clatskaine, was no stranger to the struggles of America’s post-Depression working class. An alcoholic, a chronic smoker – who succumbed to lung cancer at the age of 50 – a young father (he had fathered two children by 20) and struggling artist, Carver’s explosive character and anxiety-ridden life was translated into insightful poetry, essays and short stories that analyzed American society through the post-World War II years. The best-known example of his work is «Shortcuts,» a 1993 film by Robert Altman that adapted a series of Carver’s short stories into a stunning gallery of characters in modern Los Angeles. The American artist’s work began gaining fame in 1976 with the publication of his short-story collection, «Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?» The following year, Carver stopped drinking and met poet Tess Gallagher with whom he had a long affair and eventually married. Through this relationship and his new outlook, Carver was admitted into America’s literary world and launched internationally. Dodekati Nychta’s production has been adapted and directed by Avra Sidiropoulou, who has studied at some of the world’s finest schools, including the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Starring Marianna Kalbari, Giorgos Haralambidis, Nikos Katis and Thanassis Vlavianos, among others, «Small, Silly Sins» will be on stage tomorrow through Saturday at 9 p.m. Turnover was 112.52 million euros on volume of 22.1 million shares. Losers beat winners 149 to 147, with 64 shares unchanged on 360 traded. (Reuters)
