Honouring de Balzac’s masterpiece

A theatre performance in a unique location is coming up. One of Honoré de Balzac’s most famous stories, The Unknown Masterpiece, will be presented as a theatrical reading this September at the renowned Nicosia gallery, adapted into Greek.

The short story explores the life of a painter who might be either a tragic failure or a transcendent genius – or perhaps both. The tale, which has inspired artists like Cézanne, Henry James and Picasso, as well as the surrealist André Breton, delves into the elusive nature of perfection and the boundaries of artistic creativity.

Directed by Andreas Araouzos, the reading will feature three actors – Barnabas Kyriasis, Fotis Apostolidis, and Araouzos – bringing to life the three main characters: the young Nicolas Poussin, the middle-aged court painter Franz Pourbus and the elderly fictional painter Frenhofer.

This performance, set in the Impressionist Room at the Leventis Gallery will take place on September 2-4 and 9-11 and will be a treat for lovers of art, history, literature and theatre. The space, which pays homage to Impressionism – a movement that bridges realism and modernism – provides a fitting backdrop for a work that prefigures the transition from Balzac’s realism to the modernist movement. The audience will be seated around the room, with the experience enhanced by lighting designed by Nikos Mylonas and sound by Stavros Makris.

The Unknown Masterpiece

Theatrical reading of Honoré de Balzac’s masterpiece. Directed by Andreas Araouzos.September 2, 3, 4, and 9, 10, 11. A.G. Leventis Gallery, Nicosia. 8pm. In Greek. Tickets at www.ticketmaster.cy