Katarzyna Tadeusz and Paweł Chomczyk; fot. Michał Jadczak / inked to the Lublin Association Network and the Coincidental Theatre Group
A show prepared by neTTheatre - Theatre, linked to the Lublin Association Network and the Coincidental Theatre Group from Bialystock
Previously honored in the Competition for Polish Contemporary Art, the creators advertise themselves as "an opera for deaf people". Inspired by the last, unfinished work by Giaccomo Puccini and William Borrough's The Naked Lunch this is an expedition to the inside of the nation.
A known story of a Chinese princess Turandot, slain by suitors, who could not solve the riddles given to them, Pawel Passini linked the production with a biographical take on the acclaimed composer. Puccini, here remodeled as the eccentric figure of a priest (Kalaf) desires to get the land of the cruel Turandot and travels to her kingdom. His forays lead him to China where music is absent and the official language is sign language.
"It's the acting that makes the tension possible. It is so physical, that at times it makes you want to look away, but the nature of the action is so intriguing that you end up having to look", writes Grzegorz Jozefczuk (Elector's Gazette- Lublin nr 245 online, October 18, 2009). "The cast is comprised of Paweł Chomczyk, Mariusz Laskowski, Dagmara Sowa, Katarzyna Tadeusz and Iga Załęczna. Laskowich embodies Puccini with real appetite. He portrays a person on the brink of life and death- and is literally at arms length".
"The show is far from chronological, with scenes from the last weeks of Puccini's life wound up with the vision of 'the emporium of cruelty'. Fragments of arias sung by actors accompany the action and parts of operas are played and mixed live by directors", reviewed Agata Diduszko-Zyglewska (Twice-Weekly. Culture Page, October 19, 2009). "This unusually precise piece is comprised of a choir-who form the only credible musical feature of the production- which is otherwise comprised of the deaf and the dumb".
The show utilises Polish sign language.
- Turandot, screen play, direction and music: Paweł Passini; visuals: Maria Porzyc; set design assistance: Michalina Kostecka; sign language consultation: Magdalena Urbańska; starring: Dagmara Sowa, Katarzyna Tadeusz, Iga Załęczna, Paweł Chomczyk, Mariusz Laskowski as well as students from School Group nr 3 in Lublin; premiere: October 16, 2009; showings in Warsaw (in the National Studio Theater): December 15, 2010 at 18.00, 20.30.
- neTTheatre
Artistic Director: Paweł Passini
ul. Peowiaków 12; 20-007 Lublin
tel. 0-505 176 157 (Paweł Passini)
neTTheatre@neTTheatre.pl
www.neTTheatre.pl
c/o Centrum Kultury w Lublinie
- Coincidental Theatre Group
Białystok
c/o 16-010 Wasilków
ul. Krucza 24/22
tel. (+48) 601 179 070 - Paweł Chomczyk
tel. (+48) 607 979 159 - Dagmara Sowa
kontakt@grupacoincidentia.pl
www.grupacoincidentia.pl
Source: press release,
www.neTTheatre.pl,
www.grupacoincidentia.pl,
www.narodowy.pl