Agapi & Other Kinds of Love
by Luka Lesson.

A Fusion of Poetry and Hip-Hop Exploring the Ancient Greek Types of Love

Agapi & Other Kinds of Love is unique production which draws on the artistry of poetry and hip-hop to delve into the depths of Ancient Greek types of love, delivering a striking and emotionally charged performance.

In expertly performing Agapi & Other Kinds of Love, Luka Lesson not only shares his own Greek language with audiences through the exploration of Ancient Greek words for love, but also pays homage to the poetic traditions of his ancestry. The poetic form of the production harks back to the days of Homer, where poetry and performance were intertwined. Luka stands on the shoulders of giants, delivering the performance as a poet with a depth of connection which is second to none, and brings the poetic legacy of his ancestors to life in a contemporary context in the process.

Luka Lesson has gained recognition for his ability to seamlessly blend spoken word poetry and hip-hop, captivating audiences with his powerful storytelling. With Agapi & Other Kinds of Love, Luka showcases his deep understanding of love in all of its forms and his commitment to pushing artistic boundaries. Through his performance, he invites audiences to embark on a journey that not only celebrates his Greek heritage but also highlights the universal themes of love, freedom and social change.


SYNOPSIS

Based on Plato's The Symposium, Agapi begins with Socrates telling a banquet of friends everything he learned from a mysterious lover named: Diotima. The gods then take the audience on a journey - collapsing time and space to arrive in modern day Athens, where the two reincarnations of the Ancient lovers fall in love (again) in the midst of a riot.

Luka's reputation as one of Australia's best storytellers shines as he then takes us on a journey through the kinds of love: Eros, Filia, Filoxenia, Philautia, Storgi, Pragma and the ultimate: Agapi. 

Self-love, erotic love, familial love and more all collide with statues of Aphrodite, Molotov cocktails and the Parthenon's steps. Equal parts rap concert, poetic musical & classical history lesson, Agapi & Other Kinds of Love shows us how love prevails despite the trials and tribulations of the ages.

THE MUSIC

The music for Agapi & Other Kinds of Love has been composed by James Humberstone, a renowned composer from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Humberstone's study of Ancient Greek musical styles, modern Greek hip-hop, and the sci-fi scores of Vangelis has culminated in a mesmerising score that perfectly complements the themes and emotions of the show.

SYDNEY SEASON: REVIEWS

“A voice and presence capable of casting and holding a spell”

★★★★
Sydney Morning Herald Read More

“An innovative and intriguing show merging hip-hop beats with music for ancient instruments”

South Sydney Herald Read More

“Redefining the bounds between poetry and theatre, and re-fitting the traditions of poetry”

★★★★
Sydney Arts Guide Read More

“A mix of rap, hip-hop, poetry and music, reminding me of Lin-Manuel Miranda's 'Hamilton'"

Theatre Thoughts Read More

“This was one of the highest calibre and most transformative live performances I have attended in my life.”

Agapi Audience Response

"What stunned me was the use of contemporary in a traditional storytelling mode. The best part was the way modern and ancient/traditional influences collided into a glorious spectacle of story, song, colour and sound. Simply magical."

Agapi Audience Response



“What an extraordinary, incendiary and soulful evening. It was all class, from start to finish."

Agapi Audience Response

ABOUT LUKA LESSON

Luka Lesson is a poet of Greek heritage who has won the Australian Poetry Slam, has featured at the mecca for slam poetry: the Nuyorican Poet's Cafe (NYC), performed with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and been commissioned by the likes of the National Gallery of Victoria, The Institute of Non-Violence and the BBC (UK). Luka has released three collections of poetry independently: The Future Ancients (2013), Antidote (2015) and most recently Agapi & Other Kinds of Love (2022). 

Luka has been a poet-in-residence at the Scottish Poetry Library, appeared at the Edinburgh Literature Festival, Splendour in the Grass, 4E Hip-hop Festival, Hong Kong Literature Festival, Ubud Writers' Festival and many more. Luka has taught poetry workshops at the Athens University (Greece), Latrobe University, and across hundreds of High Schools in Australia and abroad. 

Luka's musical theatre show: Agapi & Other Kinds of Love, based on the Ancient Greek words for love, premiered at the National Museum of Australia during their exhibition: Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors & Heroes from the British Museum. 

https://www.lukalesson.com

For press enquiries / interviews please contact:

LUKA LESSON | info@lukalesson.com | +61421888127