Anna Seniuk and Janusz Gajos in Hanoch Levin's "Labour of Life", dir. by Jan Englert; photo: Teatr Narodowy
In this intimate space the audience participates in the life of a married couple - their search for happiness, wrestling with the boredom of everyday life and fear of being left alone and forgotten
There was no passion. We chose each other because we had to (…)There’s no love, there’s only the fear of staying alone in the night.
- Hanoch Levin,"Labour of Life"
Jan Englert’s staging of the play shortens the physical distance between the public and the actors - the auditorium has been moved closer to the stage than usual. This so-called 'family comedy' there are no clear answers to any questions, including that whether the play is a celebration of a couple’s boredom with each other or a hymn to love.
Anna Seniuk, the renowned Polish actress playing the role of the wife says the play is not intended solely for mature people:
Anyone can find himself in a similar situation. After many years of marriage, when the kids have left us, there’s a moment to think about the things we’ve been through. To think about what was right. Whether we are governed by fate or by chance. How does the fact of staying together for ever come about? Are we able to split up? My character wants to retain something which is her world order, she fights for her marriage. He on the other hand still is searching for something, but he doesn’t know what it is.
Hanoch Levin’s works are extremely popular with Polish directors. Earlier stagings include "Krum" directed by Krzysztof Warlikowskiat Nowy Theatre, "Schitz" directed at Warsaw’s Ateneum Theatreby Artur Tyszkiewicz and by Ana Nowicka at Cracow’s Barakah Theatre and Artur Tyszkiewicz’s "The Rubber Merchants" at Warsaw’s IMKA Theatre.
Director Jan Englert weighs the allure of Levin's writings, remarking that
there must be some kind of secret in his works, because even though all of Levin’s plays are more or less similar to each other, their stagings differ immensely. In Poland we’ve already had the chance to see performances directed in the manner of little realism or metaphysical theatre; mine will also be different. "Labour of Life" has got a fantastic construction, however one needs to come up with the proper convention to extract all the genres which have been mixed together in this text. One needs really outstanding actors to carry out the literary game with the characters – otherwise we’ll end up with a flat, boulevard theatre.
The cast of "Labour of Life" features prominent Polish actors Anna Seniuk, Janusz Gajos and Włodzimierz Press.
Hanoch Levin (1943-1999) is one of the most prolific and interesting contemporary Israeli writers. He was born in Tel Aviv to an Orthodox Jewish family. His parents were born in Poland and immigrated to Israel in 1935. He studied philosophy and Hebrew literature at the Tel Aviv University. He wrote theatre plays, satirical songs and programmes, prose and poetry, critical reviews and books for children. His works - a mixture of grotesque and serious reflexion on human existence are characterised by provocative, sharp language. In Israel he was seen as an extremely controversial artist due to his political and religious views.
The performance takes place on the 16th of December, 2011, 19:00. Repeat performances: 17th &18th of December, 19:00.
"Life’s Labour" by Hanoch Levin.
Direction: Jan Englert. Stage design: Barbara Hanicka. Music: Stanisław Radwan. Light:Wojciech Puś. Art Animation: Michał Jankowski. Stage manager: Ewa Dworecka. Prompter: Jolanta Szydłowska. The cast: Anna Seniuk, Janusz Gajos, Włodzimierz Press (guest appearance).
The National Theatre
Executive Director: Krzysztof Torończyk
Creative Director: Jan Englert
3 Theatre Square
00-077 Warsaw
ticket reservation from Monday to Friday 9AM – 6 PM
ph.22 69 20 604, 22 69 20 664
Source: www.rp.pl, www.culture.pl, www.narodowy.pl