The Chairs by Eugène Ionesco

The Chairs

by Eugène Ionesco

THEATRE OF THE NO

Saturday 3 October – 28 Νovember

THEATRE OF THE NO, Athens’ first English-speaking theatre, Eugène Ionesco’s iconic play “The Chairs”, one of the most distinctive works of the Theatre of the Absurd, opening on Saturday, October 3.

Written in 1952, Ionesco’s play, with its unique balance of black humour, absurdity and tragedy, continues to engage with timeless themes: human loneliness, the need for communication and acceptance, and the desire to leave something meaningful behind.

The new production is performed in English with Greek subtitles, directed by Yoel Wulfhart, and featuring Maria Tzanoukaki, Dinos Fragkos and Apos Kypraios.

An elderly couple prepares for the arrival of a number of invisible guests, while an Orator is invited to deliver the “great message” of life. As the empty chairs continue to multiply, reality and imagination begin to blur, revealing the deep human need for communication and acceptance.

Through absurdity and black humour, Ionesco raises questions about loneliness, memory and the meaning of existence, highlighting the human desire to leave a trace behind. The Chairs ultimately poses a timeless question: what remains of us when we are gone, and what can we truly leave behind?

Director’s Note

“To quote one of my plays: Life is nothing but hot air, all we can do is make the most of its bad smell, warm our hands by its warmth.”

“As a playwright, I see The Chairs as a confrontation with the fragile human desire to find meaning in a world that offers no easy answers. Beneath its absurd surface lies a profound anxiety: the fear that our lives are brief, unseen, and ultimately without lasting significance.Ionesco leaves us with a haunting question: if meaning cannot be clearly spoken, shared, or preserved, what remains of us when we are gone?

In directing this production, I have sought to emphasize the absurdity of our lives and our endless search for purpose. I hope audiences leave the theatre questioning not only the world Ionesco presents on stage, but also the way they choose to live their own lives.”

Q&A (Questions and Answers)

A post-show discussion with the audience will follow each performance, exploring the play, its themes, and the questions it raises.

Production details

Written by Eugène Ionesco

Direction: Yoel Wulfhart

Language: English with Greek subtitles

Cast: Maria Tzanoukaki, Dinos Fragkos and Apos Kypraios

Credits:

Music: Georgios Apostolidis

Piano Performance / Recording: Jula Jannaki

Assistant Directors: Florence Basile, Kristy Pavlova, David Rawstron

PR & Communication: Eleftheria Sakareli

Performances

October: Saturday 3, Monday 5, Saturday 10, Sunday 11, Friday 16, Sunday 18, Saturday 24 & Saturday 31

November: Saturday 7, Saturday 14, Saturday 21 & Saturday 28

Ticket price: 15€
Presale: https://www.ticketmaster.gr/theatre-of-the-no-the-chairs_sen_2008159.html

(Special Offer: 20 tickets available for 5€ at the box office one hour before the show)

THEATRE OF THE NO: Konstantinou Palaiologou 3, Athens | +30 6946851001

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