Lennie was interviewed on New York's legendary radio station WNYE about Crying Out Loud.

Conduct gets a platform at Seven Sisters
(courtesy, Transport for London, London Underground)

Graduating painting student, Lennie Varvarides, does not confine her art to the purely visual. Conduct, the new Platform for Art installation at Seven Sisters, features two of Vavarides' poems on the theme of power in relationships.

The poems are displayed in full on two large posters. Smaller posters echo some of the key lines.

Varvarides first exhibited on the Underground in March of this year. She persuaded the Group Station Manager at Camden Town Station to let her use some spare space to display her work.

The installation was spotted by the Underground's Arts and Events team who invited her to exhibit as part of the successful Platform for Art programme. Varvarides says of her work: "As a creative person my artistic concerns are the same as my personal ones.

I believe strongly in the theory that art and life are a reflection of each other. My work outlines the fundamental issues of power in relationships and explores the issues of gender."

Conduct will run at Seven Sisters until 7 September. Returning to the Underground following a successful run at Gloucester Road Station, Barry Cawston's photographic exhibition, Character Lines, will be on display in the ticket hall of Piccadilly Circus Station from July 7.

Platform for Art continues to run regular exhibitions at Gloucester Road Underground Station. The programme is set to expand as new venues are identified.

For Immediate Use
November-December 2003
Indecency Crackdown Worries Playwright/Director

Do you think when Janet Jackson woke up that January morning she knew the now infamous "wardrobe malfunction" would start a chain reaction resulting in a change in how Americans are entertained? 'The Nipple Heard 'Round The World' exposed during the Super Bowl half-time show started a government crackdown on indecency which our nation has never experienced. So far, television, radio and movies have all been affected. Will experimental theater be next? It may be, according to British playwright Lennie Varvarides.

Varvarides thinks the only true form of entertainment that hasn't been affected by this new wave of censorship is experimental theater, and that may be changing. "Traditionally, my form of theater is too small and too personal for the government to stop," Varvarides said. "We have been flying under the radar."

Indeed Varvarides' most recent play, The Almost & The Nothing, touches on topics that would likely make any censor blush. Incest, torture, and mental abuse are subjects explored in this play. While these topics are shocking, Varvarides claim they serve a purpose. "Our goal is to not be shocking for the sake of being shocking. Quite the opposite," Varvarides said. "I feel it is far more dangerous to bury our heads in the sand and pretend these things to don't happen in real life."

The play is currently being translated into both Polish and Greek productions and Varvarides plans to do a limited run performance in England later this year. "It's odd. America has always been known as a bastion of freedom of thought, religion and expression. I doubt very much that Janet Jackson's nipple would have sent England in a cultural tail-spin," Varvarides joked. "After all, we have nipples over there, too, and are quite familiar with how they look. I don't think the site of one would shock us so much."

ABOUT THE PLAY: The Almost & The Nothing will be playing at HERE Theater in Manhattan (7:30pm, May 12-16, with 3pm matinees on Saturday & Sunday) and the Wings Theater (11pm, May 21 & 22). The play magnifies the human condition—exposing just how fragile we are—and aims, like all good theater, to encourage each and every audience member to recognize themselves within the follies of the characters and confront their own dragons.

Do you want info on how to buy tickets? For tickets and info: www.here.org or 212-868-4444

CENSORSHIP: Varvarides has set up a link on her website at www.alostcreative.org to petition the FCC regarding indecency, as well a way to instantly fax your senator online.

ABOUT HERE ARTS CENTER: Since opening in 1993, HERE Arts Center has housed New York’s most daring and unique theater, art, music and dance in its three theaters, two art galleries, and cafi. Previous works originally produced by HERE include Eve Ensler’s THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES, Basil Twist’s SYMPHONIE FANTASTIQUE, the inaugural production of The Dream Music Puppetry Program, Camryn Manheim’s WAKE UP! I’M FAT, and original musical and dance works created and directed by Kristin Marting. HERE Arts Center supports the work of artists at all stages in their careers through fully-produced works, commissions, and subsidized performance and rehearsal space. In addition, HERE's staff provides marketing, technical, and administrative consultation and support. All work at HERE is curated--based on the strength and uniqueness of the artist's vision. This production is being presented through HERE’s Supported Artist Program, which provides artists with subsidized space, as well as technical and administrative support.

ABOUT THE WINGS THEATRE: The Wings Theatre is a non-profit, Off-Off Broadway theatre located in New York City's Greenwich Village, which produces a year-round season comprised exclusively of new plays and musicals by American playwrights and composers under a Tier IV agreement with Actor's Equity Association. ###

For Immediate Use
November-December 2003
Former Brooklyn Papers Sales Associate Is Taking Over Manhattan

Lennie Varvarides is original from North London and came to work for the Brooklyn Papers in 2001, were she built up ad accounts with the local artsy community of Fort Greene. In less than two months she had created a new and powerful advertising presence in the GO section of the Brooklyn Papers. She even held a mini art exhibition of her own artwork at one of the local Brooklyn restaurants. Lennie had the right personality and attitude for advertising-persistence! It is not that surprising that two years later, she is back with a new kind of presence on the theater side of things. ###

For Immediate Use
October 2003
The Last One Act Musical To Be Performed At Former Lower East Side Brothel!

There have been many alternative art productions spanning over the last decade, but never has the Collective: Unconscious Theater staged a real “Greek Tragedy” by a real Greek playwright!

In under 18 months of being in the United States, Lennie Varvarides (a native Greek/Cypriot from North London), founded a)LoStCrEaTiVe Theater/Performance Art Company. Varvarides proclaims to, “put the Greek Tragedy back in theater”. Varvarides relies heavily on her Greek roots to create what could be classified as a solid, traditional Greek tragedy. Her productions magnify human weakness and tendencies, whereby the protagonists are forced to recognize their own fate and to overcome the gifts of the Gods. Now, is that a Greek tragedy or what?

Varvarides artistic goals will be to write an additional eight plays by the time she’s thirty and make her mark as a strong female Greek/Cypriot playwright from London.

Her last production, UnderadDress played to sold out crowds, and if the opening night of Crying Out Loud is any indication to the popularity of Varvarides plays, then the final one act musical at the Collective will be a great success.

Varvarides treats Crying Out Loud as a labor of love by donating a full 50% of all generated ticket sales back to the Collective so as to support the plight for a new space. The additional proceeds from the play will go directly to taking the show on the road to London and Greece. ###

For Immediate Use
September 2003
Greek 'Tradomedy'

After the success of UnderAdDress, the eclectic theater and production company, a)LoStCrEaTiVe will to feature their equity showcase production of Crying Out Loud—a one-act play with irregular outbursts of song.

This innovative brainchild is scheduled to run from Monday October 6th-27th 2003 at the Collective: Unconscious Theater on the Lower East Side Manhattan before the spaces closes its doors to the public in November.

British playwright Lennie Varvarides created Crying Out Loud, which is a musical concoction exposing insecurities, aggression, lust, emotional abuse and guilt. The play deals with a few home truths the audience will be able to identify with as Varvarides skillfully puts together these antagonisms through the main protagonist (Maria) who is overtly oppressed by those closest to her. Maria’s desire is to “just sing” is explained as a metaphor for “just being.” While the audience is captivated by Maria’s struggle to achieve personal satisfaction, Varvarides welcomes the audience to witness the character’s journey—discovering true self.

Varvarides’ productions focus on a recurring trend that revolves around the perception of alter egos, the subconscious state of mind, and self-discovery. Varvarides’ writings comprise of emotions arched into 3D objects—which forces the protagonists to critically view themselves—taking on a psychological form and using art as a vehicle to, socially analyze our 2003 culture, to enlighten a modern audience, exposing our human strengths and weaknesses.

Varvarides comments: “Crying Out Loud is an original play that seeks to better understand human tendencies; to analyze what motivates our decisions, and to clearly understand who, if anyone, is really to blame for the decisions we make and the things we do not achieved. The main question that is repeated like a motif throughout the play is this: is it better to have the courage to begin or the confidence to finish?” ###

For Immediate Use
September 2003
Performance Art Workshops at $7? Here’s a learning opportunity too good to miss!

Its full steam ahead for a)LoStCrEaTiVe—the avant-garde theater/performance art production company—spreading the word on their latest fresh, contemporary workshop programs designed for all ‘lost creatives’ out there. Previous a)LoStCrEaTiVe workshops fuelled and propelled the company’s sustaining power in off-off Broadway productions, contributing to the incalculable success of UnderAdDress, a)LoStCrEaTiVe’s debut production, performed at the Collective: Unconscious Theater.

a)LoStCrEaTiVe was created by British playwright/director Lennie Varvarides in the summer of 2001. Lennie commented, “Our concept is based on finding the individual’s lost creative energy, and exploring, employing and empowering the artist to exercises their creative demands. a)LoStCrEaTiVe challenges the conception of traditional performance theater and focuses on eliminating theatrical ideologies. We welcome an eclectic clique to collaborate and share artistic experiences. Our aim is to produce good art”.

a)LoStCrEaTiVe hosts a variety of alternative workshops, otherwise known as L.O.S.T. (Lots Of Special Talent) Workshops, held Mondays at the Collective: Unconscious for an intimate crowd of hungry creatives eager to explore and tap into their creative subconscious. Lennie Varvarides adds, “a)LoStCrEaTiVe is the ONLY theater company to offer actors, artists, poets, singers, musicians, filmmakers and dancers the opportunity to develop their craft, audition for future productions and get paid in the process. We are dedicated in providing our lost creatives a platform to fulfill their desires”. ###

For Immediate Use
September 2003
Hello, and welcome to the world of a)LoStCrEaTiVe

a)LoStCrEaTiVe was originally meant to only be an acting workshop for actors to come together and practice their skills. As weeks passed, however, Varvarides collected notes and developed them into what is now her very first play—the unforgettable UnderAdDress—which her company members successfully performed at the Collective: Unconscious Theater in Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

a)LoStCrEaTiVe is a performing arts/theater production company, providing all ‘lost creatives’ with a supportive environment in which they can explore their creative demands. It is a forum for actors, artists, poets, singers, musicians, filmmakers and dancers to work together and create new work for future productions.

a)LoStCrEaTiVe’s ethos: · Identifies an individual’s lost creative energy and exploring creative demands · Challenges new audience conception of performance · Eliminates elitism · Opens doors and welcomes both the public as well as the artistic community to collaborate and share artistic experiences.

Since it’s inception, a)LoStCrEaTiVe has grown tremendously by leaps and bounds. The second play—Crying Out Loud—will be performed in October at The Collective: Unconscious Theater. Show dates/times are: Monday, October 6th 2003 at 8pm (staged reading, $5), Thursday, 10/16/03 at 8pm, Monday, 10/20/03 at 8pm, Thursday, 10/23/03 at 7pm and Monday, 10/27/03 at 8pm. ###

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