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<p>Hellenic Theatre Inc was founded in 1949 by Chrysostomos Mantouridis (Χρυσόστομος Μαντουρίδης), a Greek-Cypriot born in Cairo, Egypt in 1915. In 1949, after being immersed in the artistic circles of the Greek Community in Egypt, with the likes of poet K. Kavafis, he migrated to Australia and founded this community-based theatre group under the name of Hellenic Theatrical Group (Ελληνικός Θεατρικός Όμιλος), probably the oldest Greek community theatre group in Australia.</p>
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<p>Initially, the group was purely community orientated and probably acted as a meeting point between newly arrived Greek migrants and other Greek-Australian residents. Play readings and rehearsals were taking place/done in people’s houses and garages. In1962, taking a more serious approach, the group reinvented itself and changed its Greek name to “Συγκρότημα Ελλήνων Καλλιτεχνών” (ΣΕΚ), as it is known until now.</p>
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<p>Since the death of its founder in 1980, Hellenic Theatre Inc, to fulfil his wishes of having a permanent rehearsal space, has been located and been operating around the greater Marrickville area with a member Executive Committee, responsible for the group’s artistic direction.</p>
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<p>Over the years the group evolved and eventually became a not-for-profit incorporated association in 2003 and changed its name to Hellenic Theatre Inc, a name under which is operating and is known today. Also, in 2010 Hellenic Theatre Inc, because of the nature of its work, was registered as a charity.</p>
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<p>Hellenic Theatre Inc has faithfully served local theatre and the arts in general and has been involved in staging theatre productions, musical events, lectures as well as various painting and photography exhibitions. It boasts more than 100 productions over the years from the time it was founded in 1949.</p>
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<p>Hellenic Theatre Inc now comprises of first, second and third generation Greeks who promote and maintain Greek heritage, culture, literature, history, art, music, philosophy and language in the Diaspora. Its aim is to continue to stage plays from a worldwide repertoire, from ancient Greek drama and comedy to locally written plays and also to promote social intercourse and cultural exchange between Greek and other ethnic communities in Australia.</p>
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<p><em><strong>"For art to be 'unpolitical' means only to ally itself with the 'ruling' group."</strong></em></p>
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<p><em><strong>Bertolt Brecht</strong></em></p>
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