In the period 1901-5, plays by Ibsen, Chekhov, Maeterlinck and other younger
dramatists were performed under the direction of Christomanos,
while remarkable modern Greek plays were written for the New Stage, such as
Trisevgeni by Kostis Palamas and Mystiko tis Kontessas Valerainas (The Secret of Countess
Valeraina) by Grigorios Xenopoulos. Christomanos's drama school was fertile ground
for young actors and a new theatrical tradition in playwriting, direction, performance,
costume and set design contributed to the creation of a modern Greek dramatic tradition.
At the same time as the innovative Nea Skini productions, the Theatre Royal (1901-1908) put on more
conservative works.
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The remarkable Thomas Oikonomou was director of the Theatre Royal.
In differing ways, both theatres contributed to the promotion of Greek theatre and thanks to them
many important actors and actresses emerged (such as Kyveli and Marika Kotopouli) who would reach the peak of their careers in the following period.
After the breakup of the two above theatres, the spirit of change and renewal in the theatre was promoted by various occasional groups such as Etaireia Ellinikou theatrou (Society of Greek
theatre), 1919; and the amateur company, Odeion Athinon (Athens Conservatory), 1918-1924. Considerable
developments in the Greek theatre took place in the following period.
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