Teatr Biuro Podróży wrapped up its world-wide tour of "Planet Lem" with a showing in Minsk on Friday, the 11th of November. 15 hundred spectators applauded the out-door performance in Minsk's Palace of Sport
The Planet Lem performance is inspired by Stanisław Lem's fiction, his unique, witty and poignant diagnosis of the contemporary world and reflections on the relation between technological progress and the limitations of the human race
Stanisław Lem, Poland's most translated contemporary writer (his works have been published in 41 languages) rose to fame with his 1961 novel "Solaris" which has since been adapted to film three times, although it was "The Cyberiad" (English-language release: 1974) that propelled the author to international acclaim. Other popular works include "His Master's Voice" (1968) and "Fiasco" (1987). His unique, witty and poignant reflections on the relation between technological progress and human limitation have led to film adaptations (most notable is Andrei Tarkovsky's 1972 version of "Solaris". Recently the same novel inspired Steven Soderberg's film "Solaris", which starred George Clooney and Natasha McElhone) Teatr Biuro Podróży's "Planet Lem" is the first theatrical adaptation inspired by Stanisław Lem's works. It is based on characters and themes from the whole of the writer's oeuvre.
The play is set in a future land which has become a false paradise, a kind of dystopia. It employs a spectacular mobile set design, special light effects and multimedia projections.
Paweł Szkotak, the director of Planet Lem:
Lem's genius lies in his capacity of not only predicting technological advancements, but also in the ability to show the impact these advancements will have on mankind. Our humanoid descendant will not only look different, but will also have different family and social bonds. (...) A longing for the sacred, a fantastic decorum and the dream of a better world make science fiction a contemporary 'sanctuary' of commonly understood romatic ideals. "Planet Lem" is an Earth of the future which has become a fake paradise, and a form of dystopia. It is inhabited by Mucillids, humans of the future. Ijon Tichy, our contemporary sets out to meet them. What will be the outcome of their encounter?(...)
The "Planet Lem" performance is inspired by Stanisław Lem's fiction, his unique, witty and poignant diagnosis of the contemporary world and reflections on the relation between technological progress and the limitations of the human race
Planet Lem in Minsk video:
Date: 11th of November, 2011
Venue: Palace of Sport, Minsk
Organised by: Adam Mickiewicz Institute
Planet Lem is a Flagship Project of the Cultural Programme of the Polish Presidency. For more information on the project, along with image galleries and videos from all the performances, see: Planet Lem.
Source: Adam Mickiewicz Institute