Giannis Kalavrianos: The Year Without a Summer

In 1816, a massive volcanic eruption in Indonesia effectively cancelled summer for the northern hemisphere, leading to the eerie, rain-soaked retreat at Lake Geneva’s Villa Diodati. You’ll find this historical anomaly at the heart of Giannis Kalavrianos’ evocative play, which explores the creative claustrophobia of Lord Byron, Percy Shelley, John Polidori, and Claire Clairmont during their famous confinement. It was during these dark, frozen days that the group famously challenged each other to write ghost stories, eventually giving birth to monsters like Frankenstein and the modern vampire.

Kalavrianos, who takes on the roles of writer and director, creates an atmospheric stage world that captures the intellectual friction and personal drama of four icons trapped together by the weather. It is a brilliant piece of theatre for those who appreciate literary history and psychological depth, set against the grand, neoclassical backdrop of the Olympia Theatre. Because the play runs on specific dates across April and May, you should consult the theatre’s schedule to find the evening that works best for you.