In a world that moves faster than a child can follow, the Nicosia International Festival 2025 presents its own production of Penelope Delta’s beloved “Crazy Antonis
” - a fresh, heartfelt, and vibrant theatrical performance that speaks to the hearts of both young and old.
Director Panayiotis Larkou and composer George Hadjipieris bring to the stage of the Nicosia Municipal Theatre the unruly Antonis and his siblings, in a performance full of humour, imagination, mischief, and deep emotion. A journey back to a time when getting into trouble was a way to discover the world, and saying “sorry” was part of giving love.
“We live in an age where childhood has disappeared,” director Panayiotis Larkou emphasizes. Highlighting the intention to bring authentic childhood back to the forefront, he adds: “Parents are desperately absent, trapped in exhausting schedules. Children are no longer allowed to spend time outdoors playing - they are constantly shut inside a room with a screen, their imagination confined to the 25 seconds of a video. Through this stage production, we want to show our young audience the kind of childhood they deserve to experience. That’s why we chose Crazy Anthony and his siblings - children who play, make mistakes and learn, cause trouble, throw stones, bump heads, become tough, ask for forgiveness, hurt and get hurt, offer unconditional love and need love in return to flourish. Children who need to be accepted exactly as they are - not as we wish we were.”
The story
“Crazy Antonis”, first published in 1932, is a work inspired by Penelope Delta’s childhood and the summers she spent with her siblings in Piraeus. A literary ode to liveliness, imagination, and the memories of youth.
The story unfolds around four siblings: the responsible Alexandra, the thoughtful Pouloudia, little Alexander, and the unruly Antonis - Crazy Antonis. The children spend their summer holidays with Uncle Zorzis and Aunt Marietta in Kastella and turn the adults’ lives upside down. Antonis is constantly getting into trouble - the most mischievous of them all - yet he never tells lies and always owns up to his actions, knowing punishment will follow.
“Crazy Antonis” is a reminder that children need time, space, imagination, experiences, mistakes, and acceptance. That truth often lies in scraped knees, harmless mischief, and unconditional love. “Crazy Antonis” shows us how to be children again - or at least how to let them be.
About the creators
Penelope Delta was a Greek author of children's and young adult literature, as well as a prominent figure involved in the national issues of her time. She enriched children's literature with original fairy tales and stories. Her prose aimed to both entertain and educate young readers - morally and historically - while also engaging with pedagogical studies.
Panayiotis Larkou is a director and actor with an extensive career in Greece and Cyprus. He has collaborated with leading institutions such as the National Theatre of Greece, the Cyprus Theatre Organization (THOC), ETHAL, and the Athens Concert Hall. He is a co-founder of the theatre group bUilt-uP aRea and has directed numerous productions for children and adults.
Giorgos Hadjipieris is a composer and lyricist known for works such as “The Little Galley”, “The Lazy Dragon”, and “The Return of the Lazy Dragon”. With a love for both music and literature, he creates sounds that resonate with audiences of all ages.
Performances
Seven performances will be held on the following dates:
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Sunday, 9 November 2025 | 10:30 & 16:30
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Sunday, 16 November 2025 | 10:30 & 16:00
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Sunday, 23 November 2025 | 10:30 & 16:00
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Tuesday, 30 December 2025 | 16:30
Credits
Theatrical adaptation: Glykeria Kalaitzi
Director: Panayiotis Larkou
Music: Giorgos Hadjipieris
Set design: Giorgos Tenentes
Costumes: Rea Olympiou
Cast:
Ioanna Kordatou, Giorgos Kyriakou, Andrea Mavrou, Alexia Nikolaou, Andreas Patsias, Athina Savva, Angelos Hadjimichael
Duration: 80’
Age group: Suitable for all ages
Tickets:
Available online via more.com:
http://bit.ly/4grNxB8 and the Nicosia Municipal Theatre box office (Monday - Friday 10:00-13:00).
Ticket prices:
VIP: €14/ €16
ZONE A: €12/ €14
ZONE B: €12
ZONE C: €12
ZONE D: €10
Reduced tickets are valid for: Children, students, soldiers, pensioners, large families, unemployed, actors, people with disabilities (free) with presentation of relevant ID.
Information: 22797979 (Monday - Friday 10:00-13:00) &
http://bit.ly/3VjZ0ZG
Festival identity
Organisers: Nicosia Municipality, Nicosia For Art
Festival sponsors: OPAP Cyprus, ALTIA, more.com, Cyprus Public Transport Supporters: Travelhouse, UCLan Cyprus, WINECORE, Gate Twenty Two Boutique Hotel, Classic Hotel Nicosia
Media sponsors: DIAS Publishing & SIGMA TV, LOVE FM 100.7, and “KATHIMERINI” newspaper