WELCOME
About
Our expertise shines in crafting brilliantly funny, quintessentially British comedies, such as our smash-hit pilot performance of “Friends for Oscars “ (2021) and the highly anticipated “Safetown “ (coming April 2025). These original works are the brainchild of our in-house scriptwriter and producer, Anthony Thomas Ashiotis.
While theatre is our first love, we occasionally venture into the world of film production, adding versatility to our creative portfolio. Over the years, we’ve proudly raised thousands for charity, collaborating with renowned organizations like the Red Cross and Alzheimer’s charities.
Our ultimate vision? To see our unique plays light up stages in both the UK and the USA. At Cut the Drama, we don’t just create theatre - we create unforgettable experiences coupled with huge hearty laughter !
Sponsors
Cast of November, 2021
Anthony Thomas Ashiotis as Chris Saunders
Anthony was born in Nicosia, is half Greek Cypriot and half Irish / British and has two lovely children namely Natalie and Christian. He is a Chartered Certified Accountant and runs his own firm of auditors, accountants and consultants since 1990, with clients based worldwide. His firm has received awards of high recognition from three consecutive Presidents of Cyprus and other parties in Cyprus and the UK . He has over many years been involved in charity work especially as President of Rotaract Nicosia and the Rotary Club of Nicosia. He loves theater and has performed in many theatrical plays and always for charity. “Friends for Oscars “ is just one of the plays he has written but the first one on stage.
Reem Maghribi as Jenny Saunders
Reem works as a UN communication consultant whilst running the pan-Arab non-profit organisation Sharq.Org, has performed in many a Shakespeare play at school in London (1990s); co-wrote and performed in ‘Seagulls’ at Beirut’s renowned Madina Theatre (2018); produced the grant funded play ‘I Am Not a Vase’ in Beirut and Stockholm (2019); performed in the single character play ‘A Woman Alone’, filmed during lockdown and screened in Larnaca (2020), and was awarded a grant by the Buffer Fringe Festival in Nicosia to co-write and co-perform in the play ‘Taking Back the Booty’ in Nicosia (2020).
Andros Zacharia as Tom Green
Andros is a London born Cypriot, an accountant by profession and a performer/speaker by passion. In 2019, Andros acted in the comedy play "Get Staffed" and “ Friends for Oscars” was his second appearance in one of the main roles of the play ! It is noted that during rehearsals it one day transpired that Anthony Ashiotis ( writer of the play and member of the cast ) had many years ago taught Andros Greek , when Andros was a teenager at St Mary’s Greek Orthodox church in Camberwell, London ! At the time, Anthony was working for a firm of Chartered Accountants ( PKF) and taught Greek as a part time job every Saturday morning . A coincidence ? Andros as Tom , is a teacher of Art !
Mary Ann Billis as Samantha Green
Mary Ann Billis is a South African born Cypriot living in Cyprus, graduated high school with honors & distinction in Drama and Public Speaking as well gaining a diploma in method acting, went on to perform in many local theater productions & local TV series. While trying to juggle the demands of motherhood she continued her passion here in Cyprus with attending adult drama classes at Little muse theatre school & performed in an online production of “A woman alone” directed by Catherine Beger which was screened locally in Cyprus and Australia.
Aleen Andreou as Mrs Saunders
Aleen Andreou has had a 30 year love affair with the stage. Sometimes as a queen, sometimes as a cleaner and anything in between. She has acted with ACT, Rotary and Athena Xenidou's Showcases. She has worked in three films, most notably as Maggie in Al Davidian's "Don't Make a Sound" Aleen is a co-founder in 2 improv groups, "Nudniks" and "Bored of Directors". She is also a founding member of W.E.T (Women’s Empowerment Theatre) . Off stage she is a trainer and coach with PeopleAchieve.
Demetris Demetriou as Roger
Demetri graduated from King's College with a degree in law, then studied acting at Drama Centre London and then worked as a professional actor in the UK. He played parts in 'The Sea Wolf' (Tower of London Productions ), 'The Way we Live Now' (BBC Production) and 'Planespotting' (Granada production). In theatre, he played roles in 'The Woman in the Moon' (Arcola Theatre), 'Brother my Brother' (Croydon Warehouse Theatre), and others. In recent years , he has been actively involved in both films and theatre productions in Cyprus such as 'Block 12',' 'Joy and Sorrow of the Body', 'Sunrise in Kimmeria', 'Smuggling Hendrix', 'Clementine', 'Natas', 'ART', 'Betrayal', 'Sweeney Todd' and others.
Nada Panayiotou as Olga
Nada Panayiotou is an economist. She is originally from Serbia (Belgrade) and has been living and working in Cyprus since 1996. She is a business woman and mother of four, and has appeared in many theatre productions such as “Get Staffed’ by Frank Gibbons and “ Elixir of Life “ by Stavros Sideras. She has served as President of Rotary club Nicosia, enjoys running, reading and dancing and above all , making good friends.
Mohammed Awwad as Pizza Man
Mohammed Awwad studied English Literature in Bethlehem University/ Palestine. His focus is the education of young children through comedy and clowning. Mohammed's main focus is introducing comedy to the disadvantaged communities and provide psychological healing for troubled children through clown education. Mohammed travels between Europe, Middle East, Africa and Far Asia in hope to give laughter and joy to as many hospitalized children as possible, people with special needs and elderly people. He is an amazingly talented performer and has appeared in many impro shows and stand up comedies . His appearance in “ Friends for Oscars “ was one of his finest !
Marie Dzaghigian as Jennifer & Lili
Marie Dzaghigian is a teacher of English and also a belly dance instructor. She has been choreographing and acting in theatre plays at Wherehaus 612 since 2018. “ Ο Χρυσός και ο Τενεκές “ was the very first play she ever choreographed and her experience was so amazing that she quickly got involved in other things related to theatre as well. She tried out a role in a play called “ Singles “ and she then went on tour with the play “ Αν Αργήσω Κοιμήσου” where she portrayed a call girl. Following that she had the role of Lydia from “Beetlejuice twice and choreographed “ Η Αλίκη στη Χώρα των Τεράτων “ for which she received great reviews and others .
Ariadne Andreou as Film Director & TV GaGa Presenter
Ariadne began dancing at Dance Works at the age of 4. She also attended classes in theatre, singing and other dance genre performing eg Dorothy in ACT’s Wizard of Strovoloz. After attending different drama and tusical Theatre summer schools in the UK she was encouraged to audition for full time studies in this field. Ariadne was accepted into MGA Academy of Performing Arts where she had solo roles in Legally Blonde, the musical, and was a featured dancer and vocalist in the Christmas concerts at the Usher Hall. She also took part in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in The Great American Trailer Park Musical, which went on to win different awards that year
Feidias Psaras as Radio DJ, Carpenter , TV Reporter & other supporting roles
Feidias was born in Cyprus in 2003 and has a passion for literature and theatre. In 2019, he incarnated ” Mitch “ in the famous theatrical play “ The comedy about a bank robbery “ organised by his schools as well as the role of “ Kenickie Murdoch” in the musical “ Grease “. Feidias is also a keen debater: in November 2019, he addressed the European Youth Parliament as the rapporteur of the Cyprus Euroscola team. He is a member of the Ciclo team which was awarded the title of the best project presented at the 2019/2020 English school Youth Entrepreneurial Programme. In 2018, he was awarded the English School Founder’s Award for English and in 2019, for Physics, English Language and English Literature.
Anthony Root as Sir Peter Lawson
Anthony Started acting in the late seventies and debuted in The Rose and Crown by J.B Priestly. During that same period he took part in Shakespeare productions at Curium with small or walk on roles. His 33 year profession as cabin crew prevented him from being involved further with the theatre in an acting capacity. He has been a regular front of house member at various ACT productions and appearing in the panto Treasure island as a pirate' He has taken part in showcases directed by Athena Xenidou and has been involved in theatre improvisation. Stand up comedy has featured during the last couple of years taking part in various shows ( Anthony, sadly passed away in early 2022 - he will be forever missed).
Vasily Lavrikov as Butler
Vasily has studied theater and directing in Athens, Greece . Has participated in various production's while in Greece . Returned to Cyprus and finished ministry's of tourism tour guide school in 2015 and now is working as an official tour guide of the republic of Cyprus. Fluent in Greek , English and Russian languages. First theatrical appearance in Cyprus was with the theatrical company of Doros Kyriakedes. Before appeared briefly in some TV series for channel sigma.
Mary Ioannou as Julie and Supporting Role
Mary is studying English literature and language at the University of Nicosia. Her main focus for the future, is to finish her studies and follow psychology Master's abroad in the UK. She has a passion for traveling and exploring the world. In her free time she's drawing, baking and playing games. She always wanted to follow play acting and ''Friends for Oscars'' was her first appearance on stage .
Organizers and Supporters of November, 2021
Production
Savvas Hadjigeorgiou - Technical & Scenic Director
Savvas studied Film and TV at Hofstra University of the USA and has held high-level positions in the Cyprus TV industry for over 30 years. He is also involved in various theatre productions, including live streaming of theatre performances and concerts.
Sossee Eskidjian - Costume and Set Designer
Sossee studied Fine Arts at the Southwestern Oklahoma State University. She is an Art Director/ Production and Costume Designer. Some of her work includes feature films such as 11 Road To Ithaca”, “Under the Stars”, “Kalabush” and “Conveyor Belt”, the American production “Jiu Jitsu” with Nicolas Cage and many others.
Athena Xenidou - Advisor
Athena is a director, producer and screenwriter, working in film, tv and theatre. Her first feature film documentary, Unwitnessed Memories (2000), an International Emmy Awards semifinalist, won Gold Special Jury Award at Worldfest Houston, Best Documentary at the Cyprus International Film Festival and received distinctions at The International Human Rights Film Festival in Prague and IDFA in Amsterdam.
Ersin Oztoycan - Social Media support
The greater part of Ersin’s life has been devoted to raising awareness of Dyslexia. She has acted in various comedy plays and is also involved in stand up comedy and improv shows. She is the author of her autobiography My Life/File. An inspiring book that recounts the hardships and joys of her life, her family and her work.
Yiannos Georgiades - Public Relations
Yiannos is the Managing Partner of law firm Y. Georgiades & Associates LLC, based in Nicosia, Cyprus, with presence in the UK and Greece. He has been actively involved in the production of various films and theatre productions offering legal and other support such as the production of the 2020 Hollywood film “Jiu Jitsu” starring Nicholas Cage filmed in Cyprus.
On-Line Tickets
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our pilot performances of 24 to 26 November, 2021 (watched by over 700 persons) raised €15.127.70 for the Social Welfare Programme of the Red Cross!
Kudos to Anthony Ashiotis! Vice-President of Business Association, Rotarian and talented playwright. His London-based comedy ‘Friends for Oscars’ premiered in November, supported by @UKinCyprus . It raised over €15000 for Cyprus Red Cross. Cheque presented this week.
| Tweet of British High Commissioner Stephen Lillie
On Friday 4 September , 2020 the production team of " Friends for Oscars “ in cooperation with Rotary Nicosia , the Cyprus Red Cross Society – Nicosia Branch and The British High Commission organized a very pleasant event at the residence of Anthony Ashiotis (Past President of Rotary Nicosia , Script writer , Head of Production and member of the cast ) marking the official launch of our play to be held on Friday 20 November and on Wednesday 25 to Friday 27 November, 2020 at the “ Satirico “ theatre ( main stage ) in Nicosia . One of the performances ( Thursday 26 November) will in fact be streamed worldwide and hence available for viewing to everyone whether based in Cyprus or abroad . All further related details will be announced in due course . We take this opportunity to thank His Excellency The British High Commissioner Mr Stephen Lillie and his wife Mrs Denise Lillie for honoring our event with their presence and support . At this event we also had the great pleasure to have with us the President of RC Nicosia Panayiotou Charalambos and his wife Nada Panayiotou ( who is also member of the Production team and the cast ) , Cyprus Red Cross Society – Nicosia Branch officials Phylactou Demetrisand Melina Demetriou as well as our Platinum Sponsor and member of the production team Yiannos Georgiades and his lovely daughter and supporter Stephanie Bickham Distras PP of RC Nicosia Andreas N. Psaras( who kindly offered a lovely selection of wines from his Makkas winery for the event ) , our amazing Director Athena Agroti and Streaming / Film Director Savvas Hadjigeorgiou some other members of our production team ( Sossee Eskidjian , Annie Vasiliou , Mary Spyrou , Stavriana Antoniou ) as well as few other special guests and supporters and our amazing 15 member cast ( plus few extras ) ! We all had the opportunity to get to know each other ( rehearsals have commenced this week ) and despite being the hottest day ever , the evening was most pleasant and everyone had a really nice time . It was the perfect way to launch the event and once again a huge thanks to everyone who came and all those who support our play and the good cause for which it will be staged . We remind everyone that all net proceeds will go to the social welfare program ( for families in need ) of the Cyprus Red Cross Society – Nicosia Branch and we expect to raise a considerable amount of money despite the consequences of Covid 19 and readjustments we have had to make so as to fully comply with all Covid-19 measures presently in force .
Rehearsing hard against time and covid to get the show on stage for all of our dear friends, relatives, sponsors, supporters and the general public to enjoy and always for the good cause (re the Red Cross) . We are determined, eager and happy to be doing this and look forward to the big day whilst news on tickets follows in few days time . Friends for Oscars wishes you all a great weekend and take care . We do
Due to the continued government Covid-19 measures, both live and streamed performances are being rescheduled. All ticket will be valid for the new dates to be arranged . We thank you in advance for your understanding, patience and support. Where: SATIRIKO THEATRE NICOSIA When: POSTPONED / NEW DATES TBA Tickets: €15 Duration: 120’ Language: English
Due to new Government measures all 'Friends for Oscars' performances at Satiriko Theatre Nicosia will start at 7:00pm(instead of 8:00pm). 📍 Where: Satiriko Theatro 📆When: 20/11/20 - 27/11/20 ⏰19:00 👉Ticket price: €15 #online #SoldOut #SoldOutTickets #tickets #events #cyprus ↪Buy your tickets online👇 Link: https://bit.ly/35hzYjo
" It is noted that during the performances and for the period leading to them all COVID-19 safety measures will be constantly monitored and adjusted according to the law "
Dear friends , associates, ticket holders and sponsors , Thank you for your continued support and do hope Covid days will soon be over . We do hope you are all keeping as well as possible and that we will all sooner or later be back to our normal routine . With this message , on behalf of organizers , the production/ directing team and the cast, we extend our personal regards and reassurance that all administrative and other needed steps are being taken to get the play on stage the soonest this is feasible, even though realistically speaking this may take some time yet . We are also looking into high tech solutions and possibilities that exist today and on this we will let you know more about when the time comes . Meantime , we are abiding by the safety measures in place and working behind the scenes in keeping up the momentum and looking at best possible and viable alternatives . Our costs and efforts will certainly be higher that what they were during the pre – covid days but we will get there ! In fact , “ friends for Oscars “ being a play which apart from being funny also delivers some positive messages we have no doubt it will be highly welcomed by the audience , especially bearing in mind not many ( if any) other plays are expected to be on stage, during the next few months ahead . The advantage of our play is also that it has been almost fully rehearsed and the set we need for the stage is ready and safely stored away . Due to the passage of time , we will of course need re- tune ourselves and re- start rehearsals, administrative , marketing , logistic and other actions needed many of which mean an extra cost but as said, we will get there ! We owe it to you all who have and remain by our side and also to our cast and ourselves for all the incredible hard work we have been doing to date and more to come . We also owe it to the good cause of this event where all proceeds will go to , this we must not forget . Thank you once again for your patience and support and when we are ready to go ahead we will recommence promotion of the event. Concerning sponsors, sponsors will once again receive full publicity , as once the play is rescheduled to a new date, promotion will commence minimum 2 months before such date , further to publicity given past months and which was temporarily interrupted due to Covid and this that just 10 days before the performances were to take place and after 2 months plus of regular promotion of the event via the media , posters , web site etc . Until we speak again do keep well and we will be in touch ! On behalf of “ Friends for Oscars “ , Anthony Ashiotis ( Coordinator and Head of Production )
Videos
E-FLYER
Photo Gallery
Trailer of November, 2021 performance
View the trailer of our charity performances of November, 2021 from which over 15 thousand Euros were raised for the Red Cross – Nicosia Welfare Fund.
Click here to view
