CLEFT NIGHT OR WHAT YOU DEAL (WITH)
Concept:
As the title might indicate, we have created an adaptation of Shakesperae’s last cheerful and liberated play in the row of his comedies, with a certain political interpretation and in a very interactive way to be performed on a dance stage.
Twelfth night refers to the boundary of a new era just as Europe faces something similar nowadays.
This shows in many different ways, such as the declining participation rates of elections, political migration of entire communities towards the extreme right, the rebuilding of European borders, dwindling political cohesion between European countries, the handling of the so-called religious terrorism, as well as the endemic economic inequalities between people and between countries, spreading social disorientation and a sense of hopelessness for the future.
To approach these problems emerging in western societies we thus invited a theatre classic, Shakespeare, but in the same time in a very contemporary form of involving by involving the spectators (as called in the past), or now rather the members of the audience as partners seated on stage during the performance.
The chosen comedy of Shakespeare seems to be a perfect medium as long as the plot is in accordance with the recent news about refugees somewhere in the Mediterranean: some folks – men and women – landing on the shore after a shipwreck in Illyria (that is by the coasts of modern-day Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania) which is the very Western Balkan Migration Route. Just as we see nowadays, these men and women are making their best efforts to fit in and integrate into the local society yet facing and battling all kinds of difficulties and harassments.
Mise-en-scene:
We have put on stage an interdisciplinary performance by integrating dance, music, visual art and excerpts from the original script (augmented by additional dialogues) though we aimed to reduce the verbal channel to the minimum.
We have also set aside the concept of using an extensive cast as in the original play, but were mainly focusing on the various harassment acts and gender problems articulated mostly in form of duos.
In order to provide a more personal experience and deeper involvement of our audience during the play, we replaced the traditional frontal arrangement of the stage facing the podium by creating a shared space and seating audiences right on stage (in simple realistic scenery elements). Certain choreographed acts thus can be experienced within intimate distance from the performers, even some speeches are addressed to them and further interactions and movements (sometimes even grim) are part of the game.
We use video projection from two directions: from above and from the front. From above we shoot an illusionary natural ambience (sea) on the floor, while from the front, we project contemporary fictional and documentary content, memorable and iconic photographs and video footages well-known from news broadcasts and clips from pop-culture myths. The projected video footages once pose counterpoints to the live performance, or provide a wider context to the scenes performed live another time. The result is an ambiguous, perplexing yet funny substance of beyond-Shakespearean (21st Century) comedy evolving from the mixed contemporary myths of Europe, America and the Third World that are brought together by the story of migration.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/277869435
CAST:
Choreography: Kata Juhász
Music: Alexis Cuadrado and Ákos Zságer-Varga
Light: Miklós Mervel
Video footage: Tamás Herczeg, Zóra Pataki
Performed by: Csenger K. Szabó, Tamás Rétfalvi, Judit Takács, Lacek Takács
Concept: Tamás Lóky
Supported by Hungarian National Cultural Fund, Ministry of Human Capacities of Hungary, Műhely Alapítvány (Workshop Foundation), European Union Culture Program/ Life Long Burning
Events Calendar
13-12-2024, at 11:00 AM
- THE BAD STUDENT TESTED
Location:
13-12-2024, at 9:00 AM
- THE BAD STUDENT TESTED
Location:
18-10-2024, (in the frame of 30th Anniversary Gala of Association of Independent Performing Arts, Hungary)
- ANOTHER MODEST PROPOSAL (excerpts)
Location: 55. Margit blvd. Budapest 1024
08-10-2024, at 7:00 PM and 9 PM, (in the frame of double bill evening)
- DON' TALK (Premiere!)
Location: TRAFÓ HOUSE OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS
41 Liliom Street, Budapest 1094, Hungary
02-08-2024, at 8:30 PM
- BREAKING BREAD
Location: Theatre on the Water Szarvas /Szarvasi Vízi Színház, 5540 Szarvas, Petőfi Sándor str. 7-9.
15-06-2024, at 3:15 PM, (in the frame of Under500 Festival)
- DON' TALK
Location: Artus Contemporary Art Studio, Budapest, Sztregova str. 7, 1116
10-06-2024, at 10:00 AM
- THE BAD STUDENT TESTED
Location: Hunyadi János Secondary School, 5800, Mezőkovácsháza, Sármezey Endre str. 63.
10-06-2024, at 8:00 AM
- THE BAD STUDENT TESTED
Location: Csanád Vezér Elementary and Art School, 5800 Mezőkovácsháza, Árpád str.184
07-06-2024, at 11:00 AM
- THE BAD STUDENT TESTED
Location: Táncsics Mihály Secondary School, 5900 Orosháza, Táncsics str. 2-4.
07-06-2024, at 9:00 AM
- THE BAD STUDENT TESTED
Location: János Jankó Elementary School, Tótkomlós, Erzsébet str. 2., 5940
01-06-2024, 8:30 PM
- ORDINARY CIRCUSES (outdoor)
The performance is part of the Budapest 150 commemorative year, with the financial support of the Pro Cultura Urbis Public Foundation
Location: Mechwart liget, 1024 Budapest, Margit körút 47-49, square, outdoor fittness court
12-05-2024, 8:00 PM
- ORDINARY CIRCUSES (outdoor)
The performance is part of the Budapest 150 commemorative year, with the financial support of the Pro Cultura Urbis Public Foundation
Location: Máriaremetei Közösségi Liget, 1029 Budapest, Máriaremetei út 226., outdoor fittness court
04-05-2024, 8:00 PM
- ORDINARY CIRCUSES (outdoor)
The performance is part of the Budapest 150 commemorative year, with the financial support of the Pro Cultura Urbis Public Foundation
Location: 1023 Budapest, Zsigmond square, outdoor fittness court
05-03-2024, at 7:30 PM
- HABITAT
Location: 1022 Budapest, Marczibányi square 5/A,
05-03-2024, at 12:00 PM
- HABITAT
Location: 1022 Budapest, Marczibányi square 5/A,
05-03-2024, at 10:00 AM
- HABITAT
Location: 1022 Budapest, Marczibányi square 5/A,
01-03-2024, at 7:00 PM
- HABITAT
Location: Theater am Markt, Brunnenpassage, Brunnengasse 71/Yppenplatz, 1160 Wien
29-02-2024, at 7:00 PM
- BREAKING BREAD
Location: Soul Stage, 1066 Budapest, Erzsébet bld. 58,
28-02-2024, at 7:00 PM
- BREAKING BREAD Premiere!
Location: Soul Stage, 1066 Budapest, Erzsébet bld. 58,
28-12-2023, at 7:00 PM
- CAFÉ DE LA DANSE
Location: Foton Audiovisual Centre, 8200 Veszprém, Vár str. 17, Hungary
15-12-2023, at 11:00 AM
- THE BAD STUDENT TESTED
Location: János Jankó Elementary School, Tótkomlós, Erzsébet str. 2., 5940
15-12-2023, at 9:00 AM
- THE BAD STUDENT TESTED
Location: Slovak Bilingual Elementary School, Tótkomlós, Diófa str. 6, 5940
27 and 28-10-2023, at 7:30 PM
- DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Location: Center for Performing Arts 3754 Pleasant Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55409, US
21-10-2023, at 8:30 PM
- DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Location: Dancewave, 182 4th Ave Brooklyn, NY 11217, US
8-10-2023, at 7:00 PM
- CAFÉ DE LA DANSE
Location: Foton Audiovisual Centre, 8200 Veszprém, Vár str. 17, Hungary
10-08-2023, at 6:00 PM
- DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Location: Sziget Festival, Május 9. park, Budapest, Hungary, 1033.
27-06-2023, at 8:00 PM
- BO BITTER
Location: 1022 Budapest, Marczibányi square 5/A,
16-06-2023, at 3 PM, (in the frame of Under500 Festival)
- HABITAT
Location: Artus Contemporary Art Studio, Budapest, Sztregova str. 7, 1116
13-06-2023, at 10:30 AM,
- HABITAT
Location: Artus Contemporary Art Studio, Budapest, Sztregova str. 7, 1116
12-06-2023, at 9 AM,
- THE BAD STUDENT TESTED
Location: Jurányi House, chamber room, 1027 Budapest, Jurányi str. 1.
19-05-2023, 8:30 PM (in the frame of Festival of the Dance as part of the European Capital of Culture official program.)
- ORDINARY CIRCUSES (outdoor)
Location: 8200 Veszprém, Erzsébet sétány
12-04-2023, at 12 AM,
- THE BAD STUDENT TESTED
Location: Veres Pálné Gimnázium, 1053 Budapest, Veres Pálné street. 38,
27-03-2023, at 1 PM,
- HABITAT
Location: Trafo Studio, 1094 Budapest, Lilom street 41.
03-12-2022, at 4:00 PM
- RECHARGABLE
Location: CEU Auditorium, 1051 Budapest, Nádor street 15.
02-12-2022, at 7:30 PM
- RECHARGABLE
Location: CEU Auditorium, 1051 Budapest, Nádor street 15.
26-11-2022, (in the frame of Art November Fest.)
- ANOTHER MODEST PROPOSAL
Location: Max City, 2045 Törökbálint, Tópark street 1/a,
18-11-2022, at 7:30 PM
- DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Location: CEU Auditorium, 1051 Budapest, Nádor street 15.
04-11-2022, at 19:30 (in the frame of Slippery live)
- ANOTHER MODEST PROPOSAL
Location: CEU Auditorium, 1051 Budapest, Nádor street 15.
21-10-2022, at 7:30 PM
- DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Location: CEU Auditorium, 1051 Budapest, Nádor street 15.
13-10-2022, at 11 AM, 4 PM and 7:30 PM
- HABITAT
Location: CEU Auditorium, 1051 Budapest, Nádor street 15.
23-09-2022, at 7:30 PM
- DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Location: CEU Auditorium, 1051 Budapest, Nádor street 15.
10-09-2022, 4 PM and 7 PM (in the frame of Placcc Festival)
- ORDINARY CIRCUSES
Location: 1024 Budapest Mechwart liget
09-09-2022, 7 PM (in the frame of Placcc Festival)
- ORDINARY CIRCUSES
Location: 1024 Budapest Mechwart liget
16-07-2022, 10 PM
- ANOTHER MODEST PROPOSAL
Location: Bánkitó Festival
28-06-2022, at 9:00 PM
- BO BITTER (PREMIERE!)
Location: 1026 Budapest, Lotz Károly street 9/A.
14-06-2022, at 8:00
- THE BAD STUDENT TESTED
Location: Petőfi Sándor Gimnázium, 1013 Budapest, Attila street 43.
13-06-2022, at 8:00 and 10:00
- THE BAD STUDENT TESTED
Location: Fazekas Mihály Gimnázium, 1082 Budapest, Horváth Mihály square 8.
10-06-2022, at 8:55 and 10:45
- THE BAD STUDENT TESTED
Location: Forrai Methodist High School and Art Technical School, 1139 Budapest, Lomb street. 41,
04-06-2022, at 19:00
- DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Location: Strada Paris 5, Cluj-Napoca 400000, Romania
26-05-2022, at 11:00
- THE BAD STUDENT TESTED
Location: Veres Pálné Gimnázium, 1053 Budapest, Veres Pálné street. 38,
17-05-2022, at 20:00
- DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Location: Marczibányi Square Cultural Center, 1022 Budapest, Marczibányi square 5/a.
22-03-2022, at 20:00
- DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Location: Marczibányi Square Cultural Center, 1022 Budapest, Marczibányi square 5/a.
10-03-2022, at 9:00
- WARM-UP
Location: Petőfi Sándor Gimnázium, 1013 Budapest, Attila street 43.
02-03-2022, at 9:00
- WARM-UP
Location: Szent Gellért Katolikus Általános Iskola és Gimnázium, 1013 Budapest, Krisztina square 4.
01-03-2022, at 19:00
- A MODEST PROPOSAL / in the frame of Slippery-evenings
Location: Sándor Márai Cultural House, 1013 Budapest, Krisztina square 1.
08-02-2022, at 20:00
- A MODEST PROPOSAL / in the frame of Slippery-evenings
Location: Marczibányi Square Cultural Center, 1022 Budapest, Marczibányi square 5/a.
31-01-2022, at 10:00 and 14:00
- CLOUDCIRCUS
Location: Vojtina Puppet Theatre, 4026 Debrecen, Kálvin square 13.
15-12-2021, at 10:00 and 12:00
- WARM-UP
Location: Forrai Methodist High School and Art Technical School, 1139 Budapest, Lomb street. 41,
13-12-2021, at 10:15 and 13:00
- HABITAT
Premiere!
Location: Vojtina Puppet Theatre, 4026 Debrecen, Kálvin square 13.
11-12-2021, at 17:00
- HABITAT
Location: Jurányi Ház, Grabo studio (1027 Budapest, Jurányi street. 1., 4th floor)
19-11-2021, at 19:00
- HABITAT (work in progress presentation)
in the frames of the assembly of Hungarian Drama Pedagogical Society
Location: Marczibányi Square Cultural Center, Budapest, 1022 Marczibányi square 5/A,
11-12-2021, at 10:00 and 12:00
- WARM-UP
Location: Fazekas Mihály Gimnázium, 1082 Budapest, Horváth Mihály square 8.
14-11-2021, at 11:00
- CLOUDCIRCUS (unplugged)
Location: Jurányi Ház, Grabo studio (1027 Budapest, Jurányi street. 1., 4th floor)
14-10-2021, at 10:00 and 14:00
- CLOUDCIRCUS
Location: Pécsi Harmadik Színház, 7633 Pécs, Hajnóczy street 41.
03-07-2021, 18:00
- A MODEST PROPOSAL (20')
Location: NFGreen Festival Bodaky (SK)
24-04-2021, 19:00 (streamed in the frame of Slippery Project chapter 1.)
- A MODEST PROPOSAL (20') webtheatre premier
Location: Trip Boat,
available on demand through this link: https://trip.jegyx1.hu/eloadas/860/
07-02-2021, 16:00 cancelled in response to coronavirus pandemic
- ANIMAL TALES (circus version)
Location: Eötvös 10. Cultural Scene, Budapest, Eötvös u. 10, 1067
30-01-2021, 16:00 cancelled in response to coronavirus pandemic
- ANIMAL TALES (circus version)
Location: Eötvös 10. Cultural Scene, Budapest, Eötvös u. 10, 1067
28-01-2021, 20:00 (streamed live)
- ANIMAL TALES (circus version) webtheatre premier
Location: Trip Boat,
available on demand through this link: https://trip.jegyx1.hu/eloadas/804/
09-01-2021, 16:00 cancelled in response to coronavirus pandemic
- ANIMAL TALES (circus version)
Location: Eötvös 10. Cultural Scene, Budapest, Eötvös u. 10, 1067
08-12-2020, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 cancelled in response to coronavirus pandemic
- WARM-UP
Location: Eötvös 10. Cultural Scene, Budapest, Eötvös u. 10, 1067
21-11-2020, 16:00 cancelled in response to coronavirus pandemic
- ANIMAL TALES (circus version)
Location: Eötvös 10. Cultural Scene, Budapest, Eötvös u. 10, 1067
16-11-2020, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 cancelled in response to coronavirus pandemic
- WARM-UP
Location: Eötvös 10. Cultural Scene, Budapest, Eötvös u. 10, 1067
10-10-2020, 16:00
- ANIMAL TALES (circus version premier)
Location: Inspiral Circus Centre, Budapest, Sopron út 19/A, 1117
09-09-2020, 11:00, 14:00
- THE BAD STUDENT TESTED (classroom performance)
Location: Virányos Elementary School, Budapest, Virányos út 48., 1125
08-09-2020, 9:00, 11:00, 14:00
- THE BAD STUDENT TESTED (classroom performance)
Location: Koch Valéria School Centre, Pécs, Tiborc köz 28/1., 7624
Our dance-in-education program planned for March and April 2020. will also be postponed in response to coronavirus pandemic.
29-03-2020, 16:00 cancelled in response to coronavirus pandemic
- ANIMAL TALES
Location: Jurányi Ház, Grabo studio (1027 Budapest, Jurányi street. 1., 4th floor)
02-03-2020, 10:00 and 14:00
- ANIMAL TALES
Location: Vojtina Puppet Theatre (Debrecen, Kálvin tér 13., 4026)
29-02-2020, 16:00
- ANIMAL TALES
Location: Jurányi Ház, Grabo studio (Budapest, Jurányi u. 1., 1027, 4th floor)
18-12-2019, 11:00
- ANIMAL TALES
Location: Jurányi Ház, Grabo studio (Budapest, Jurányi u. 1., 1027, 4th floor)
28-11-2019, 13:30 (in the frame of dunapArt5 international showcase)
- DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Location: Trafo studio (Budapest, Liliom u. 41, 1094)
28-11-2019, 23:00
- DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Location: Három Holló/ Drei Raben Café underground theatre venue (Budapest, Piarista köz 1, 1052, entrance from Szabadsajtó út)