We continue where we left of on Part 1, which was when we got pulled over for a ticket. Turns out it was a misunderstanding, for the police's system didn't get updated so they didn't have the new licences. So I guess everything is ok. WRONG. For the next few days everything is to go as wrong as possible.
First stop, as I said, was Kornos. We went there the day we were to play and found everything torn apart. Some punks must have taken everything apart the previous night. We found ourselves disappointed but encouraged to reset everything into a better state than they previously were. We set them up and wait for the people to come. At 8.30 the play starts. At 8.30 we have two old ladies. We are now nervous that no one is going to come. Thankfully we were able to get 36 people up to nine o'clock and we had the play. It was not as good as we wanted and it had many mistakes. Since we didn't have a place behind the stage, we changed clothes in the park, and people would enter and leave through the stage. Finally the night was over and we had to take everything out and put them in the van and leave.
Our next stop is a place called Palothkia. There thankfully the place was more welcoming as we had a stage and a backstage. We got to setting up and waited. The problem there is that even though we sold 40 tickets 20 of those where from our people. The villagers there weren't interested in us. The play was fun, less mistakes this time but it would be ideal if we had more people from the village attending. Overall it was ok.
Do you know the saying third time's the charm? Well, our third time was hell! Next village was Saint Marina. And from the moment we stepped our feet there, things were going wrong. First thing we learnt once we go there was that this same night there was an event help by some girls from this village and there was going to be food. How could we compete. Why did they put it the same day as us. So the night comes, everything is set up and everything is tested. Total number of tickets 20. Was a tough crowd as well. They just wouldn't laugh. Also the tested speakers stopped working mid way. And since we started when there was still light outside we didn't notice the huge spotlights above us, and at the finale we closed our lights but the ones above stayed and it was as if nothing happened. Everything was a disaster. And the huge mystery was the speakers. If it was a simple bump and the core got disconnected it would have been fine. The volume got turned down. We have no idea how. Thankfully it didn't get any worse than this.
Next we had our main event. It was in the capital at a music stage called Exantas. We were expecting a lot of people there. And they did come. We had 170 tickets sold. It was great. Or so we thought. One of our main doors on stage would keep opening and it ruined the illusion. Also it was a big venue with lots of fans and a lot of people couldn't hear us, thus they didn't like the play. At least we enjoyed the play. It was relaxing to finally see so many people.
Finally redemption! The next play was by far my favorite. It was at a lovely little village named Stroumpi. We only had around 30 to 40 people but at least they enjoyed it. They were happy people and they loved us. We also had almost no mistakes and it was a relaxing performance since we didn't have to prove anything as we had at the last one. We didn't get much money but we got soul relaxation. I loved it and I want to visit there again. Very friendly people. We also went to rest at a coffee place (think of an old tavern and not a modern cafe) and the old people there would chat us up and treat us to our drinks. Amazing people. And at the end of the play, the local "punks" helped us put everything back in the van. If you are ever in Cyprus, go to Stroumpi for a visit.
Then we are off to Saint Barbara. Nothing much to say about there except that we had many people. We sold around 60 tickets and we don't even charge kids. Poor but good-hearted. The play was fine with minimal errors. The setup was really tiring since we were still exhausted from the non stop plays. The only remaining fault was that we needed to shorten our play. It was too long.
A mayor or someone responsible for his village's arts, that really cares wouldn't just let us sell tickets and actually buy the play and give it to the people for free. The president of Cultural arts of Moutagiaka, our next stop, did just that. He even provided us with milk and coffee to make our frappe, when I asked where can I go to find one. We had around 100 people and everyone enjoyed a very relaxing play since we shortened it. Then they even took us out to eat. That's how you should treat things like tours by young people like us. They helped us feel welcomed and gave the people something they liked. Nothing better. This is my second favorite place so far. Thankfully we have more bought plays and I am really looking forward to them.
Sorry if that hurt your ears but it was really fun. Thanks for reading this when I find more time I will try to write more. I do apologise for the lack of quality in my past post but I really had 0 time. As always I am Tsinik and I hope you enjoyed this poorly written but full of soul article. Goodbye.
