It was performed for the first time (2005) for three consecutive years at the Théâtre Palais Royal in Paris and since then her stage career has taken off, making an international career in Canada, Belgium and Spain, Argentina and Brazil as well as in Greece. It is regarding the popular and highly topical comedy “Toc, Toc” (abbreviation of the expression Trouble Obsessionel Compulsif) by the versatile Laurent Baffie, which was presented in our country under the title “Group Therapy”.
In an era of dramatic increase in neuroses, the French writer and entertainer takes a humorous but tender look at the subject of obsessive-compulsive disorders, seeking to overturn the prejudices and stereotypes that stigmatize patients of this type and by exorcising through the power of laughter the mental diversions of modern man.
Although the background is sad, Laurent Baffie builds his intelligent comedy on the comedian’s terms, a fast flow, many clever lines and a twisting mood, culminating in the unique and unpredictable finale. His heroes, placed in the waiting room of a famous psychiatrist’s clinic, experience their own personal waiting for a solution to their problem as they all suffer from a different form of neurosis, which prevents them from communicating with society.
With Greek names, in the context of a more general adaptation of the comedy to Greek reality, Fotis swears unabashedly because he suffers from Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, Vassilis the taxi driver suffers from arithmetic, while Babis has a symmetry problem and is unable to walk on lines . The hypochondriac Nitsa is obsessed with cleanliness due to microbiophobia, the goddess Maria shows symptoms of multiple personality and verification tic, while Lili suffers from echolalia syndrome, which is why she repeats every expression twice.
As – theatrical license – the famous psychiatrist is delayed, their joint decision to organize group therapy on their own provides an opportunity for the comedian to take off the comic but also to deliver his human message. The comic lines fall in droves while at the same time such relational dynamics and interaction develop between the persons, which has an imperceptible psychotherapeutic effect on them.
People deprived until then of social contact, encourage each other, share their thoughts, discuss their fears and obsessions and try, breaking their cocoon and abandoning their “I”, to overcome their problem with the acceptance of the Other and the strength of love. “Group Therapy” does not make fun of mental deviations, quite the opposite. With heroes dysfunctional in life, who are revealed to be lovable on stage, he considers mutual understanding as the best psychological support and laughter as the most effective psychotherapeutic mechanism.
The comedy was presented in the context of the events of the 9th “Momos” (Festival of Satire of Amateur Troupes) by the theater group of Syros “O Souris”, the oldest amateur troupe of the island, with the simple and straightforward direction of Yiannis Desypris, who effectively focused on interaction with the public. In a scenic environment, in which the excellent wall construction stood out, all the actors (Yiannis Palaiologos, Giannis Desypris, Dimitra Papaefthymiou, Katerina Harbatsi, Nikos Karamolegos, Virginia Harbatsi, Anna Varthalitou) with their heads up and full of energy, responded comfortably to the comedians the roles and naturally demonstrated their stage experience, producing richly effortless laughter.
An explosive comedy, which was successful in its staging through a cheerful and orderly performance.
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