International Normal Festival - Prague 2009

Date: 2009

On 04 – 08 November 2009 we took part in the IV Normal Festival – Prague 2009. This year’s edition was held under the banner of “Art is work - work is art". We were invited to stage as many as two of our performances: Without words and The Trial. It was a great honour for us, but also a token of confidence which we did not want to fail. December’s premiere made us realise how much there is to be discovered in Kafka’s characters. How many opportunities of development there is in actors. This is why we worked especially intensively on The Trial. The place of presentation was an additional challenge – Prague’s Klub La Fabrika. It has got a very atypical theatre hall; no wings, no regular scene, no backstage. To adapt the space for our purposes we had to conduct nearly 9-hours long rehearsals before each performance. Whole team showed determination, patience, and professionalism. Effort paid off; the audience received the performances with emotion. They let us be invited to the scene’s world formed by actors. After the performances had finished they did not leave their seats, as if they were waiting for the continuation. It looked as if they regretted to have to part with the characters. Professor Jana Pilatova, who supports our activity for a long time now, confirmed this. Nevertheless, she is also a severe, and honest critic. She encouraged us to further development of the story of Joseph K. So as to give the audience, and the actors a chance for a longer meeting. This is perhaps the most valuable fruit of the trip – confirmation that The Trial has matured, developed, and is now ready for a confrontation with a demanding audience.

Of course there was some time devoted for wandering about Prague, dining together in a small homely tavern, dancing on a concert of "Neocekavany dychanek" – a folk Czech band...

We would like to thank all of them who made this trip become realised; first and foremost all the actors, therapists; Ola and Sabina for sound and lights; Mr Tomek for technical help, and that he drove us directly to every destination, ignoring possible fines. With such a team everything is possible, and we are already planning next performances away.

 

Subsidy: Inventura Agency from Prague

 

Visit the offical website of the Festival

 

 

See the photo gallery from the Festival