THE PARSIFALS
A theatrical installation that explores the stories of five boys residing in an reformatory institution.
CONCEPT AND REALISATION Apolena Vanišová and Jan Bárta
ARTISTIC COOPERATION Johana Střížková
TECHNICAL COOPERATION Tomáš Mládek, Petr Zábrodský
EDUCATIONAL COOPERATION Bohdana Košťálová
CAST David, Jakub, Milan, Patrik and Vladimír
READS Pavel Neškudla
CREATIVE PRODUCER Ewa Zembok and the Rekultur production platform
On a September morning, a cold wind blows in from the mountains, and snow has fallen overnight seemingly out of nowhere. The full moon fades in the west as Parsifal approaches the clearing through the thinning forest. He rides slowly, surveying his surroundings. As he reaches the clearing, a flock of wild geese takes flight, scattering in all directions. Before they can fully escape, a falcon swoops down and strikes one. Three drops of blood fall from the bird's wound, staining the fresh, sparkling white snow. Parsifal, startled by the sight, closes his eyes as if in remembrance.
The theatrical installation PARSIFALS marks the culmination of the first phase of Apolena Vanišová and Jan Bárta's collaboration with clients from one of the twenty-six Czech juvenile detention institutions. The five boys involved chose the legend of Parsifal as the theme for their project. Although this choice may have seemed arbitrary at first, it has proven to be profoundly meaningful over time.
Telling stories, talking about destiny and listening to each other, the need to share. The audience in Prague and the audience in Kutná Hora find themselves together in one theatrical situation and now it is up to them how to deal with it.
If only the wild geese had not been resting on the edge of the clearing that night—then they would not have taken flight, the falcon would not have swooped among them, the snow would not have been stained with blood, and Parsifal would not have been startled by the sight. How many destinies might have unfolded differently from that moment!
The installation is intended for one viewer, it does not begin and end. Admission is free. With English subtitles.
20-21 September, daily from 16:00 to 19:00
Kutná Hora Performing Arts Festival -- Tyl Theatre, Main entrance, Masarykova 128, Kutná Hora
...příští vlna / next wave... -- Divadlo Komedie, Pokladna, Jungmannova 15/1, Praha 1
The project is supported by the State Culture Fund of the Czech Republic, the Life of the Artist Foundation, and the town of Kutná Hora.
PARSIFALS is the first public output of long-term project 109/2002 Sb.
The essence of the 109/2002 Sb project is a creative meeting of clients of Czech reformatory institutions and theatre professionals. They dialogue with each other in a series of workshops and prepare regular public presentations. The work with the clients of reformatory institutions is cultural and therapeutic in nature, leading to the support of the development of the participants' existing interests, expanding the possibilities of their cultural activities and supporting them in their preparation for ordinary life after leaving the institution.
In the workshops, the trainers use the Developmental Transformation/DVT method, which includes theatrical means and practices such as improvisation, interpretation, role-playing and simulation. These develop the skills of experiencing, sharing and communicating one's own experiences and feelings. Through these theatrical practices, participants learn to fully perceive, experience and then express their experiences in a safe environment. We focus on the experiences that accompany the creative process and learn to reflect on and eventually share them in the group.
Participants also regularly attend selected theatre performances and exhibitions to learn about, reflect on and perhaps be inspired by contemporary art work. So far, we have established cooperation with Kunsthalle Prague, DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, National Theatre and NoD Theatre.
main lecturers: Jan Bárta and Apolena Vanišová
other lecturers: Johana Střížková and Petr Zábrodský
creative producer: Ewa Zembok and Rekultur production platform
