Lapis Lazuli

Able to conjure magic from the most diverse and ordinary of materials, Laskaridis is the pioneer of a unique hybrid form of spectacle that seamlessly spans the realms of performance, dance and the visual arts. In Lapis Lazuli he continues his ongoing exploration of transformation and ridicule, fusing elements of the grotesque, the comic and the terrifying.

Inspired by the mesmerising blue semi-precious stone of the same name, known for its unpredictable behaviour under pressure, Laskaridis seeks to create a captivating and enigmatic new world full of fascinating dualities. The name of the stone itself, lapis lazuli (often interpreted as ‘stone of heaven’), hints at an origin that is both earthly and celestial. It was this duality inherent in the stone’s name that inspired the artist’s quest to meticulously weave a tapestry of seemingly contradictory variations on stage.

Director and performer Euripides Laskaridis works at the intersection of dance, theatre and the visual arts. His works have been presented at leading performing arts institutions around the world, offering a distinctive fusion of genres and styles that is both humorous and strangely poignant. After Relic (2015), Titans (seen at the Grec 2017 Festival de Barcelona) and Elenit (2019), which toured continuously worldwide until 2023, Euripides Laskaridis continues his exploration of ridicule and transformation with his new stage piece Lapis Lazuli, an international co-production involving Greece, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Finland and Bulgaria. 

Supported by The Fondation d'Entreprise Hermès

Co-produced by Théâtre de la Ville (France), Théâtre de Liège (Belgium), Espoo Theatre Finland (Finland), Teatros del Canal (Spain), Teatro della Pergola Firenze (Italy), Festival Aperto / Fondazione I Teatri Reggio Emilia (Italy) and Big Pulse Dance Alliance Festivals: Julidans (Netherlands), Torinodanza Festival/Teatro Stabile Di Torino―Teatro Nazionale (Italy), And One Dance Festival (Bulgaria)

Co-funded by The Creative Europe Programme of the European Union

With The Support of Megaron―The Athens Concert Hall

With The Financial Support of The Greek Ministry of Culture

A project by Euripides Laskaridis and Osmosis

First performed at Onassis Stegi, Athens, April 2024