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<p>This group 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>The group right from the beginning was purely community orientated and it acted as a meeting point between newly arrived Greek migrants and other Greek-Australian residents. Play readings and rehearsals were taking place in people’s houses and garages. A theatrical venue of large capacity was used to stage early productions for usually a one-off performance. This first period, from 1950 to 1962 was described by C.Mantouridis as a time for exploring and experimenting. Towards the end of 1962, taking a more serious and mature approach, the group reinvented itself and changed its Greek name to “Συγκρότημα Ελλήνων Καλλιτεχνών” (ΣΕΚ), as it is known today. This second period was from 1963 until 1979 and it was a more productive period with a long list of productions, with a specific mention of the play Christopher Columbus by Nikos Kazantzakis in its world premiere, in 1972.</p>
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<p>Since the death of its founder in 1980, Hellenic Theatrical Group fulfilling his wishes of having a permanent rehearsal space, has been located and been operating in a number of venues around the greater Marrickville area, with a member Management 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 1993 and changed its name to Hellenic Theatre Incorporated, a name under which is operating and is known today. Hellenic Theatre Inc., because of the nature of its work, has been a registered charity, since 2012.</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 and continues to honour the legacy of its founder.</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><strong><em>“The theatre infects the audience with its noble ecstasy.”</em></strong></p>
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<p><em><strong>“Love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art.”</strong></em></p>
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<p><strong><em>Konstantin Stanislavski</em></strong></p>
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