WHY A PLAY ON BREAST CANCER?
Breast Cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer. Every eleven minutes another woman dies of breast cancer. U.S. statistics show that 1 in 8 women can expect to get breast cancer and that 1 in 3 of those that get it will die, and these figures are on the rise. A look at high risk categories shows that very few of us can afford to ignore the issue, and yet even the word cancer is taboo." Cancer. I have come to see that it is silence that kills." Sandra Butler
ABOUT AMAZONS
This production is not just about issues. It is the story of three ordinary women and their extraordinary journey through pain and suffering, joy and triumph as each of their lives is touched by Breast Cancer. Through these women, Sirens explores the complexity of human reactions in the face of disease, disfigurement and ultimately the reality of death. But AMAZONS is not a play about death, it's a play celebrating life and the fighting spirit of those ancient female warriors. It is a play not so much about illness, but about healing, and healing not just for those that have the disease, but for all of us. It is a story at once epic and intimate; a story of courage and rage, tears and laughter, fear and survival.DEVISING: THE PROCESS
The initial process of intensive research is followed by a series of exploratory theatre workshops. Material gathered in this way is then reworked by the company, in collaboration with a director and writer, to produce a final script. This process ensures not only a diversity of input and styles, but a collective piece reflecting the lives of real people.PERFORMANCE VENUE AND DATES
Sirens' production is due to open in April 1998 in Athens, Greece.LANGUAGE
Sirens, works in English as this is the common language of the group. We have not, in the past, found language to be a barrier for the appreciation of our work by Greek audiences. This is partly due to the high level of competence in English among Greek theatregoers, and also to our performances being strongly rooted in a physical and visual style of theatre. For AMAZONS, however, because of our desire to broaden the community base of our theatre and direct this all-important subject to as wide an audience as possible, we have decided to experiment with a bilingual piece, working in both Greek and English. We are confident that this will make the piece not only more accessible but also more moving and dynamic.MULTIMEDIA EXHIBITION
Sirens is commissioning works on the theme of "Women and Breast Cancer", by artists from a diversity of disciplines, for an exhibition which will run at the theatre during the course of the play.AUDIENCE
Although our primary theme is Women and Breast Cancer, we are not directing this piece solely to them. Ultimately what we hope to achieve in this production is an exciting and highly engaging piece of theatre that will speak to the hearts and awaken the consciousness of all audience members, both women and men.SPONSORSHIP
Sirens is asking your company to sponsor either the production as a whole, or particular aspects of it.