AustLit

'Love is a timeless theme and a love story is at the centre of Café Rebetika! The central character is Stavrakas who runs the hideout (teké). He is a manga, a man who lives and dies by his code of ethics. His love is the proud and passionate singer Areti. Both strong-willed, their relationship is fiery, fun and true. However, their deep-seated philosophical differences about marriage puts their relationship in peril. She wants the self-respect and the holy sanctity of marriage. He believes giving his word on his honour is the greatest commitment a man can make. He believes in God but has deep misgivings about the church for reasons we found out later.

'After Stavrakas refuses her, Areti marries the tough, "showy" and well-off Nikos - but he is brutal. In a crisis of conscience and faith, she tries to return to her true love but due to his own ethical code, Stavrakas must reject her.

'Knowing the danger she is in, Stavrakas tries to help her get away. Tipped off to her whereabouts by the desperate addict, Petrakis, Nikos murders her on the docks. This tragic act sets the rest of the play in motion.

'In scenes that traverse time and place and even death - Stavrakas and Areti finally find their peace together at show's end.'

Source: Café Rebetika! website, http://www.caferebetika.com/about.html
Sighted: 12/04/2011