at the Psyrri Theater
Start: Thursday, October 15, 2026
What would happen if a country decided to sell its cultural heritage to save itself from bankruptcy?
The groundbreaking play by Spanish playwright Ernesto Caballero,*The Painting*, will be presented for the first time in Greece at the Psyrri Theater, directed by Michalis Panadis, starting in October!
This is a sharp, contemporary comedy set in the age of deepfakes, idols, political manipulation, and the omnipotence of influencers.
Ioanna Pappa, Yuli Tsagkarakis, and Angelos Andriopoulos come together in an explosive theatrical collaboration, featuring a breakneck pace, subtle irony, and relentless self-deprecation.
Somewhere between a political thriller and pure satire, *The Painting* humorously and incisively reflects a society crumbling behind its facade.
The story:
We are in Spain’s near future. The economic crisis has literally torn the European Union apart and brought the country to its knees. In an extreme move to “rescue” the economy, the “Adelante, Pueblo” coalition government decides to liberalize the sale of cultural heritage, starting with Velázquez’s iconic masterpiece, “Las Meninas” (“The Maids of Honor”).
But before the painting is handed over to the buyers, the government hires a humble nun—known for her rare talent for copying works of art—to create an identical, “perfect” replica!
The Prado Museum is implementing its replacement plan. On the occasion of an “Exhibition of Copies,” it is gradually transforming Sister Angela from a woman of God into the ultimate viral trend, an avant-garde media influencer, a pop nun next door who is idolized by the crowds.
The government is now ready to officially announce the sale of the painting and its replacement with a copy. Citizens welcome the move, as they have come to adore the famous nun-copist and prefer her to Velázquez, at a time when social media personalities are valued more highly than history and culture, and replicas are trendier than the originals.
But what happens when the celebrity nun begins to develop her own artistic voice and make changes to the painting?
A frenzied journey of vanity, faith, and self-discovery begins, set against the backdrop of a society addicted to “likes,” manipulation, and fabricated idols.
“What do you see when you look at a copy? Yourself.”
A performance full of intrigue, brushstrokes, colors, social media, faith in God, and lots of “monkeys.”
Feel free to laugh. Just remember that the joke… is us!
Performance Dates & Times: Wednesday 8:00 p.m . / Thursday 9:00 p.m. / Friday 9:00 p.m. / Saturday 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p . m . / Sunday 8:00 p.m.
Group Reservations Department: 2111026277 & 210 2117240 ext. 305 ( weekdays from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) – email: [email protected]
