Isadora Duck

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The musical for the whole family, Isadora Duck, written and directed by Stella Michailidou and featuring music by Kostas Vomvolos, transforms the stage of the Stavros Niarchos Hall into a peculiar “swan lake”, where a petite duck aspires to carve out her own path in dance.

Following the great success of its first presentation at the Alternative Stage, Isadora Duck is coming back in a new version for a larger venue, offering an ideal and engaging introduction to the art of dance for both young and older audiences.

The performance references a pioneering figure in modern dance, the “barefoot dancer” Isadora Duncan, along with classical fairy tales, such as Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling. Its heroine, the petite duck Isadora Duck, with her uniquely beautiful blue feathers, lives in Swan Lake, struggling to make her dream of becoming a ballerina come true. Passion and the desire to dance are at the heart of this performance, which communicates important values in a simple yet effective manner, offering audiences a tender and at once cruel self-awareness adventure through music, dance, and humour.

Actress and choreographer Stella Michailidou, known for her plays for children and young people, draws on Isadora’s tale to discuss the concepts of inclusion, acceptance, respect, and recognition with both children and adults. The story of Isadora unfolds through the vibrant narratives recounted on stage by swans, ducks, and colourful birds of the lake, using the language of dance and music.

“My wings may be small and my legs crooked, but my soul never stops dancing,” sings the tiny duck who dreams of becoming a ballerina, even though she ranks last in her class. When her teacher, Mr Coup de Pied, expels her, Isadora Duck wanders desperately until she slowly begins to believe in herself and discovers her own unique dance style. A free dance, in perfect harmony with nature, without the restrictions imposed by classical ballet. A dance that allows her to express her true feelings and helps her overcome fear, loneliness, and difficulties.

The music is composed by Kostas Vomvolos, who is a member of the bands Primavera en Salonico and Chimerini Kolymvites. Lydia Stefou portrays Isadora, Margarita Syngeniotou takes on the roles of the Teacher, Narrator, Ms Hoity-Toity, and Ms Papov, and Dimitris Nalbandis performs as Mr Coup-de-Pied.