Review: THE SCREAM OF SILENCE at Studio 29A Thessaloniki

In a dessert in Las Vegas an ascetic is standing for over 300 days on a rock without food or water. His peace is disturbed by a young couple visiting the 'sight'. While being there, things get complicated as they get to know themselves and each other all over again. THE SCREAM OF SILENCE is a play about the existential questions one can ask. It tests limits and portraits how far one can go just so they won't have to see and accept who they really are.

Written by Philip Atlakson, writer for Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox, the play has travelled across the world and was presented for the first time ever in Greece (and in Europe in general) by a theatrical group called Brikia Kollame, that consist of young artist introducing innovative ideas as far as theatre concerns.

Having the opportunity to chat both with Mr. Atlakson, who came to Greece to attend the show and with the inventor of the group / director of the play (Vicky Fragoudi) and the guy who started it all (Konstantinos Haberopoulos), I have to say that I found their story really interesting and I would like to share part of it with you.

Some would say it was a coincidence but I don't believe in that. The idea of the project came about five years ago when Konstantinos visited Mount Athos. There, during a discussion with a father he mentioned that he was interested in theater and the father gave him a script for him to pass his time. That script happened to be mr. Atlakson's THE SCREAM OF SILENCE. As Konstantinos described it to me he read the whole thing at once and then spent hours pacing the floors of his room trying to take in what he had just read. First thing the next day he practically begged the father to give him any contact details about mr. Atlakson, so that he could thank him. Long story short, they got in touch and a few months later Philip Atlakson came to visit Greece and met with Konstantinos, who expressed his will to present the play in Greece.

The production dealt with many hardships along the way, but finally had the premiere this April. My feelings are still mixed about THE SCREAM OF SILENCE. It shows a really dark side of this world and really challenges its audience. I found myself being torn between disagreeing in so many things and agreeing in many others. It is definitely a play to get you thinking... a lot. I loved the esthetic the director (Vicky Fragoudi) gave to the show and was shocked by the stillness of the ascetic, who stayed in the same position for over 45 minutes into the play.

I am in the very pleasant possition to inform you that THE SCREAM OF SILENCE is destined to run for a full season next fall. I am always happy to see new artists taking risks and going after their dreams.

Here is the trailer for you to get a taste: