An Essex film academic is bringing her cinematic expertise to the stage with the world premiere of a new psychological thriller.
Dr Eirini Konstantinidou’s MARA will premiere at London’s Hen and Chickens Theatre from 9 to 11 October. Written by Robin King and Dr Konstantinidou, and directed by Dr Konstantinidou, MARA follows a newly pregnant woman trapped in the basement of an office building as she races to reach a crucial custody hearing for her eight-year-old daughter.
As panic rises, Mara’s memories, fears and visions begin to blur, forcing her to confront the truth she has been avoiding. The solo performance explores identity, psychological distress and the pressures placed on women through an intimate and unsettling character study.
Dr Konstantinidou said: “I'm generally interested in making work that examines the human condition and explore difficult questions around identity. MARA takes the complex, layered subject of female identity and sets out to challenge common assumptions and expectations. It’s a character study, first and foremost, that invites the audience to reflect on the rigid rules that so often apply to women in society.”
The production marks Dr Konstantinidou’s move from screen to stage, drawing on her experience as a filmmaker to introduce cinematic approaches to live performance. Lighting and sound become integral to the storytelling, creating a claustrophobic mood and atmosphere inspired by film. They act as another character and create a more engaging experience for the audience. The space is closing in on the character visually and aurally creating a theatrical environment where reality and imagination collide.
Dr Konstantinidou is a Senior Lecturer in Film in the School of Language, Literature, and Media, where she teaches film production, directing actors and fiction filmmaking. She holds a practice-based PhD in Film Studies and directed the award-winning feature film Mnemophrenia, which explores memory, identity and technology.
Dr Konstantinidou originally conceived MARA as a film script, and hopes to revisit its potential as a screen production following its stage premiere. She is also exploring a separate film project to be shot on location in Greece, with plans to involve students from the University’s East 15 Acting School in the production.
The project reflects Essex’s commitment to creative practice, interdisciplinary storytelling and professional development. Through her teaching and filmmaking, Dr Konstantinidou continues to connect academic expertise with new approaches to performance and screen production.
Book tickets to see MARA here.
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