Programme of the Archa Theatre for October 2001
Monday, October 1
8 p.m.
Questioning Heaven in Despair
A sino-baroque performance
Directed by: J. A. Pitínský
The Archa Theatre's new project. A theatrical and musical piece in which contemporary culture meets with the mysterious and fascinating worlds of Chinese Opera and Baroque Theatre.
The story of an early 18th century Czech Jesuit mission to the court of the Chinese Emperor; a story of all those far from home and surrounded by a foreign culture, experiencing delight and amazement but also alienation and fear, trying to find the common ground between cultures. The performance weaves together elements of the Peking Opera - such as Chinese singing, acrobatics, martial arts - with baroque music and the principles of baroque theatre. Composer: Petr Hromádka. Set design: Tomáš Rusín. Costume design: Zuzana Štefunková. The main role is played by Peking Opera singer Feng-Jün Song. Story and concept by Aleš Roleček, Ondřej Hrab, and Jana Svobodová.
The performance was created as an ancillary project of "The Glory of the Baroque in Bohemia" exhibition, with the support of the City of Prague.
Tuesday, October 2
8 p.m.
Questioning Heaven in Despair
Wednesday, October 3
8 p.m.
Vizita Theatre
Bugging the Ticks
Jaroslav Dušek and Martin Zbrožek rid themselves of the after-effects of a summer in the woods under the lights of Viktor Zborník. The assistance of other friends (A. Vitouš, J. Honzák) is entirely possible.
Monday, October 8
8 p.m.
Vizita Theatre
The Good in the Corner
Two old schoolmates (J. Dušek & M. Zbrožek) clear the cobwebs from their cupboards. Under the bright lights by V. Zborník. The help of other members (J. Honzák, A. Vitouš) is welcome.
Konfrontace International Festival of New Dance 2001
Friday, October 5
8 p.m.
Jan Kodet & Bohemia Family DP
The performances of the Bohemia Family Dance Project constitute an attempt at defining space but they also tell stories about inner states through movement…
October 6 and 7
8 p.m.
David Parker & The Bang Group (USA)
The celebrated former tap dancer David Parker is surely one of the cleverest of New York choreographers. He ventures a bizarre game with sexual roles and stereotypes, punctuated by percussion. Parker satirizes the embarrassing with dry humour and subtle ease, revealing strange existences and personifying weaknesses and absurdities in human relationships.
Wednesday, October 10
8 p.m.
Gilles Jobin: The Moebius Strip
A rising star of European dance, Gilles Jobin has already established his reputation as a dance theatre maker of extraordinary intelligence and elegance. The term Moebius strip derives from quantum physics, symbolizing infinity and the eternal new beginning of continuously renewed starting points. This Swiss/British choreographer uses the Moebius strip as an image of the origin of movement, converting absolute continuity into dance and music.
Thursday, October 11
8 p.m.
Company Flak: The Haman/Navas Project
Two figures on stage: one musician, and one dancer. Two bodies, one cello. Two passions. Dance and music create a dialogue, blending into one universe. A duet of two extraordinary soloists - the charismatic Latin American dancer José Navas and leading American cellist Walter Haman, performing music by Benjamin Britten and Allan Hovhaness.
Saturday, October 13
8 p.m.
Dance Tone Project II
Dance: Sasha Waltz & David Zambrano
Music: Iva Bittová & Otto Lechner
A collaboration venture for innovative composers and choreographers - this time in a new constellation. A unique opportunity to experience Czech musician and performer Iva Bittová and blind Austrian instrumentalist Otto Lechner, renowned for his limitless creativity and versatility, live onstage with the leading light of German choreography Sasha Waltz with her old friend and teacher David Zambrano and his surrealistic wit
Monday, October 15
8 p.m.
Homage to Father Konias
An evening devoted to the controversial personality of Father Konias and his book-burnings. Premier screening of the Stanislav Zeman film of the same name. Discussion with experts on the baroque. An ancillary project of "The Glory of the Baroque in Bohemia" exhibition, with the support of the City of Prague.
Saturday, October 20
8 p.m.
Tindersticks
Concert of British group renowned among critics and audience around Europe for their original sound and soothing melancholy. Presented in cooperation with 10:15 Promotion.
Thurday, October 25
8 p.m.
Danse Macabre in Kutná Hora
The themes of plagues, human destiny and the courage to struggle against it in a performance with two interconnected aspects: dance choreographed by Jan Kodet and theatre directed by Martin Tichý. Linking provocative dance and tender lyrics from the workshop of internationally acclaimed choreographer Jan Kodet with the poetry of Baroque poet Bedrich Bridel, the piece is directed by a new personality of the Czech theatre scene, giving the subject matter a new, contemporary dimension. Choreography: Jan Kodet. Written and directed by Martin Tichý, music - Ivan Acher, set and costume design - Kristýna Täubelová. The performance was created as an ancillary project of "The Glory of the Baroque in Bohemia" exhibition, with the support of the City of Prague.
Friday, October 26
8 p.m.
Danse Macabre in Kutná Hora
Saturday, October 27
8 p.m.
Danse Macabre in Kutná Hora
Sunday, October 28
8 p.m.
Danse Macabre in Kutná Hora
Monday, October 29
8 p.m.
The Respekt Magazine Debates
"The Biggest Palm-Greasers in Europe" or The Thousand Faces of Czech Corruption and its Bloom in the Era of the Opposition Agreement.
Tuesday, October 30
8 p.m.
Theatre HaDivadlo, Brno
Marius von Mayenburg: Face in fire
Wednesday, October 31
8 p.m.
Theatre HaDivadlo, Brno
Marius von Mayenburg: Face in fire
Thursday, November 1
8 p.m.
Theatre HaDivadlo, Brno
Marius von Mayenburg: Face in fire
Special School - illustrations and photo-murals
Works by pupils from a Prague Special School, arranged by Jaroslav Prokop and David Cajthaml.
Petr Zhoř - photographs