test ΞΕΝΟΙ ΠΕΡΙΟΔΕΥΟΝΤΕΣ ΘΙΑΣΟΙ: Ο ‘CITTA DI PALERMO’ ΣΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΤΟΥ 1922 [FOREIGN THEATRE TROUPES ON TOUR: ‘CITTA DI PALERMO’ IN GREECE IN 1922]|ΠΑΡΑΒΑΣΙΣ/PARABASIS

ΞΕΝΟΙ ΠΕΡΙΟΔΕΥΟΝΤΕΣ ΘΙΑΣΟΙ: Ο ‘CITTA DI PALERMO’ ΣΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΤΟΥ 1922 [FOREIGN THEATRE TROUPES ON TOUR: ‘CITTA DI PALERMO’ IN GREECE IN 1922]

Εξώφυλλο Παράβασις Τόμ. 20 / Cover Parabasis Vol. 20
PDF26 (ελληνικά)
Published: Nov 24, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681//.43313
Ioannis Mathioudakis
Abstract

Foreign theatre troupes touring Greece played a crucial role in the modern history of Greek theatre. These tours were a means for the country to connect with cultural events taking place abroad. The Athenian audience was delighted by foreign troupes, especially when they presented operettas and operas in their native language. Although the language barrier provided an opportunity for some members of the audience to showcase their linguistic abilities, most of the audience was more interested in musical performances for entertainment purposes rather than the plot of the plays. Among the many foreign troupes that visited Greece in 1922, a year marked by the Asia Minor Catastrophe, the Italian troupe "Citta Di Palermo" stood out. They performed in Athens and Thessaloniki for more than 180 days, which is likely a record-setting tour for a foreign troupe visiting the country. During their stay, they showcased more than 35 operettas and operas, collaborated with Greek artists, and managed to blend in with the Greek culture and audience.


 

Article Details
  • Section
  • Μελέτες / Studies
Author Biography
Ioannis Mathioudakis

Ioannis Mathioudakis is a postgraduate student in the Master of Arts (MA) in Theatre and Cinema Studies at the Department of Philology, University of Crete, in collaboration with the Institute for Mediterranean Studies (IMS/FORTH) and a graduate of the Department’s undergraduate program. He completed his internship at the Theatre Department of IMS/FORTH and has received Scholarships from the Laboratory of Image, Sound and Movement (2023, IMS/FORTH) and the Theatre School of Theatrikos Periplous (2021). He directed and filmed the short documentary Ashes, which won 6 awards and received 12 additional nominations at international film festivals, representing the University of Crete in the DIAPLASIS program organized by the Hellenic Parliament. He is actively involved in Theatre as an actor. The study “Foreign Theatre Troupes on Tour: ‘Citta Di Palermo’ in Greece in 1922”, now being published in this journal, was conducted while he was an undergraduate. His texts have been published in theatrical performance programs, in the press, and online. His research interests focus on European and Modern Greek theatre, as well as on the relationship between theatre and cinema.