October 2018
Sat
20:00
Ordinary People
Jana Svobodová, Wen Hui and coll. / Archa Theatre / Living Dance Studio#Study
AKCENT FESTIVAL
A meeting of Czech and Chinese stories on one stage. Tales of desire, of cruelty, of joy, of blood, of unhealed traumas, of love and of death are narrated in parallel by various theatrical means. Music, dance, video art and light design are created by Czech and Chinese artists together directly in front of the viewers' eyes in a constantly changing scene. Apparently business with China is more important for ordinary people than human rights. That's what politicians say. What is it like when Czechs and Chinese tell their "ordinary" stories?
Trailer on YouTube
Vladimír, 73, lives in a small town near Prague. He worked his whole life in a factory as a turner and toolmaker. When he was young he was one of the best rock and roll dancers in Prague. Every Saturday night he was the king of the dance floor, dancing an extravagant "capitalist" dance, until the police would come and escort him out. Saturday after Saturday the same story would be repeated. They could not repress his passion to dance freely.
Wen was born in the 1960s and is a dancer and choreographer. She lives in Beijing. She was trained at the theatre academy to be the prima ballerina of the propaganda ballet company. The time of her youth corresponded with the era of student protests and great hopes, which never came to fruition. Her life had been saved, but she has never forgotten the trauma. In the 90s she founded the first independent dance company in China, the Living Dance Studio.
The Living Dance Studio, Beijing
The Living Dance Studio was founded in 1994 by filmmaker Wu Wenguang and choreographer and dancer Wen Hui as the first independent contemporary company in China. Until recently, they were able to work in the Caochangdi Work Station in Beijing, designed especially for them by artist Ai Weiwei. Their productions, in which dance, text and film are often combined into total works of art, document social and historical events from China’s past and present. It gets by without any state subsidies whatsoever. As a rule, the productions cannot be shown publicly. Thus, Wen Hui’s work exists in a semi-public grey area of state toleration. The Living Dance Studio is invited regularly to perform in Europe, the USA and other countries.
Reviews
"A magnificent celebration of ordinary lives that flies in the face of all demagogues." Lidové noviny
"Under the joint guidance of Jana Svobodová and Wen Hui and thanks to the creators of the music, video and light design, a fine array of theatrical images with something deep at its core was created; a theatre where the viewer can unravel a mystery and learn with wonder about something unusual and strange." Dresdner Neueste Nachrichten
"An emotion-filled drama that ends with joy, passion, and perhaps the promise of freedom." Taneční aktuality
Credits
Performed by: Wen Hui, Vladimír Tůma, Philipp Schenker, Wen Luyuan, Pan Xiaonan, Jan Burian ml., Li Yuyao, Jaroslav Hrdlička and Pavel Kotlík
Directed by Wen Hui and Jana Svobodová
Music and sound design: Jan Burian ml.
Video art: Jaroslav Hrdlička
Light design: Pavel Kotlík
Assistent director: Valida Babayeva
Dramaturgy: Ondřej Hrab
Dramaturgical assistance: Lonneke van Heugten and Carmen Mehnert
Translations: Ian Yang, Anna Vrbová, Andre Swoboda
Subtitles: Haruna Honcoopová
Production: Jindřich Krippner
Special thanks: Martin C. Putna and Zuzana Li
In Czech and Chinese with Czech and English subtitles.
The performance is a co-production by the Archa Theatre and the Hellerau European Centre for the Arts,Dresden and Théâtre de la Ville Paris within the European project Theatron and with the financial support of the Culture Program.
Premieres in Prague on 22 and 23 January 2017 and in Dresden on 27 and 28 January 2017.
Other dates:
30 January 2017 — Husa na provázku Theatre, Brno, Czech Republic
27 October 2017 — Maribor Theatre Festival, Slovenia
9 November2017 — Husa na provázku Theatre, Brno, Czech Republic
18 November 2017 — Teatro-Cine Torres Vedras, Portugal
20–22 November 2017 — Archa Theatre, Prague, Czech Republic
27–22 October 2018 — Archa Theatre, Prague, Czech Republic
16–23 July 2019 — Festival d'Avignon, Avignon, France
5–9 November 2019 — Festival d'Automne, Paris, France
15–16 November 2019 — Archa Theatre, Prague, Czech Republic
20–21 November 2019 — Théâtre des Louvrais, Scène nationale, Cergy-Pontoise, France
26–27 November 2019 — Festival Next, La Rose des Vents, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
30 November 2019 — Teatro Municipal, Porto, Portugal
Performance was supported by
Sun
20:00
Ordinary People
Jana Svobodová, Wen Hui and coll. / Archa Theatre / Living Dance Studio#Study
AKCENT FESTIVAL
Mon
20:00
Ordinary People
Jana Svobodová, Wen Hui and coll. / Archa Theatre / Living Dance Studio#Study
AKCENT FESTIVAL
November 2018
Sat
12:00–23:00
Akcent Conference on Migration
Encounters, stories, discussions and a concert for the 10th anniversary of the Allstar Refjúdží BandWed
20:00
Russkies?
Jan Burian Jr., Jaroslav Hrdlička, Jana Svobodová and coll./ Archa Theatre#Study
Sun
20:00
Divadlo Vizita — Posvátná čtyřjedinnost
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník.Mon
20:00
Divadlo Vizita — Tucet spadlých listů
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník.Fri
19:00
Russkies?
Jan Burian Jr., Jaroslav Hrdlička, Jana Svobodová and coll./ Archa Theatre#Study
Sat
19:00
Russkies?
Jan Burian Jr., Jaroslav Hrdlička, Jana Svobodová and coll./ Archa TheatreEnglish–friendly
Theatre Nights 2018 / Free admission!
Sat
21:00
Petr Nikl – Yellow Darkness
a colourful melodrama
English–friendly
Theatre Nights 2018 / Free admission, book your seat!
Mon
10:00–13:00
AKCENT FESTIVAL
Sat
18:00
CAMPO / Milo Rau / IIPM – Five Easy Pieces
Akcent Festival together with the Prague German Language Theatre FestivalAKCENT FESTIVAL
Sun
13:00
CAMPO / Milo Rau / IIPM – Five Easy Pieces
Akcent Festival together with the Prague German Language Theatre FestivalAKCENT FESTIVAL
Thu
20:00
1918 – Dream of Modernity
BOZAR / Archa TheatreAKCENT FESTIVAL
December 2018
Wed
20:00
Divadlo Vizita — Pěkně plná punčocha
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník.Sat
18:00
andcompany&Co. – Invisible Republic
#stilllovingtherevolution#Study
AKCENT FESTIVAL
Sun
20:00
Russkies?
Jan Burian Jr., Jaroslav Hrdlička, Jana Svobodová and coll./ Archa TheatreEnglish–friendly
Mon
10:00
Russkies?
Jan Burian Jr., Jaroslav Hrdlička, Jana Svobodová and coll./ Archa TheatreEnglish–friendly
Archa for Schools
Wed
20:00
Big Bad Christmas – Radio Wave Talk Show
Aleš Stuchlý, Dan Řehák, Prokop Vejda and guestsThu
10:00
VOSTO5 – Pérák 2018
What's in a name. It's actions that count!January 2019
Thu
15:00
Operation Kamen
Staatsschauspiel Dresden / Florian FischerFri
10:00
Operation Kamen
Staatsschauspiel Dresden / Florian FischerWed
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – By the Nose
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník.Thu
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Around the Corner
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník.Thu
15:30
Archa.lab
Thu
20:00–23:00
Hudba 2018: The Final Cut
Pavel Klusák, Aleš Stuchlý & Karel VeselýFebruary 2019
Fri
10:00
Fidlovačka or Who are We?
Spielraum Kollektiv / Archa.labWed
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – The Decoy
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník. Guest: Dan BártaThu
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – The Trap
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník.Mon
20:00
Viah&Rosa / Lunar Collective – Tears of a Giant
work in progressArcha.lab
Mon
20:00
Russkies?
Jan Burian Jr., Jaroslav Hrdlička, Jana Svobodová and coll./ Archa TheatreEnglish–friendly
Tue
10:00
Russkies?
Jan Burian Jr., Jaroslav Hrdlička, Jana Svobodová and coll./ Archa TheatreEnglish–friendly
Archa for Schools
Wed
18:00
#Study
SMALL INVENTORY Festival
Thu
20:00
Petr Nikl – Yellow Darkness
a colourful melodrama
English–friendly
SMALL INVENTORY Festival
March 2019
Sat
20:00
Sunn O))) [US, Southern Lord] + Puce Mary [DK, PAN]
Presented by Archa Theatre, Heartnoize Promotion and Scrape SoundWed
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Charmed
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník. Guests: Yellow SistersThu
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Denouement
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník.Sun
20:00
LIGNA: Rapture and Rage: Studies on the authoritarian character
A multimedia performance in Czech, English or German.English–friendly
Bazaar Festival 2019
Mon
10:00
LIGNA: Rapture and Rage: Studies on the authoritarian character
A multimedia performance in Czech, English or German.English–friendly
Bazaar Festival 2019 Archa for Schools
Mon
20:00
LIGNA: Rapture and Rage: Studies on the authoritarian character
A multimedia performance in Czech, English or German.English–friendly
Bazaar Festival 2019
Thu
19:30
Gondwana showcase – Phil France, Sunda Arc, DJ Matthew Halsall
Festival SpectaculareSun
20:00
Please the Trees, Manon meurt + special guest: STEVE GUNN (USA/ Matador)
Scrape Sound and Archa TheatreSat
20:00
Andreya Triana, support Klara & The Pop
Mladí ladí jazz 2019April 2019
Mon
20:00
Omar Sosa & Yilian Cañizares feat. Gustavo Ovalles
Jazz Meets WorldSat
11:00–17:00
Frank van de Ven — Body Meets Imagination
Body Weather WorkshopSat
20:00
Silent Tarzan (stolen diaries of a phantom of erotic photos)
Husa na provázku Theatre / Simona Petrů, Petr Jan Kryštof / Anna PetrželkováThu
16:30
Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker – Rosas danst Rosas
Moving Audience, Festspielhaus Hellerau DresdenMoving Audience
Fri
20:00
Archa Theatre and Forum 2000 presents – Bernard-Henri Lévy – Looking for Europe
United against populism, with the people of PragueSun
20:00
Russkies?
Jan Burian Jr., Jaroslav Hrdlička, Jana Svobodová and coll./ Archa TheatreEnglish–friendly
Mon
10:00
Russkies?
Jan Burian Jr., Jaroslav Hrdlička, Jana Svobodová and coll./ Archa TheatreEnglish–friendly
Archa for Schools
May 2019
Sat
14:00–17:00
FLAB: Magic of Decision
European Parliament, House of European History, BrusselsMon
20:00
I shall go into a hare, With sorrow and sych and meickle care
Anna Klimešová and coll.Archa.lab
Wed
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Potemkin's Pike
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník. Guest: Ondřej SmeykalThu
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Melancholy Beast
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník.Sun
20:00
Russkies?
Jan Burian Jr., Jaroslav Hrdlička, Jana Svobodová and coll./ Archa TheatreEnglish–friendly
Mon
20:00
Russkies?
Jan Burian Jr., Jaroslav Hrdlička, Jana Svobodová and coll./ Archa TheatreEnglish–friendly
Sat
10:00–16:00
Omar Carrum – Momentum / CANCELLED
Continuum, Improvisation - Partnering & Instant composition WorkshopArcha.lab
Sun
10:00–16:00
Omar Carrum – Momentum / CANCELLED
Continuum, Improvisation - Partnering & Instant composition WorkshopArcha.lab
Fri
10:00
Fidlovačka or Who are We?
Spielraum Kollektiv / Archa.labJune 2019
Mon
20:00
Ščegetavček
Kadınlar: Daisy Alexander, Millie Done, Çiğdem Erdöl, Varja Hrvatin#Study
AKCENT FESTIVAL
Sat
17:30
Sat
20:00
Sun
21:00
Robert Henke – Lumière III
Vektroskop and Robert HenkeMon
19:00
Russkies?
Jan Burian Jr., Jaroslav Hrdlička, Jana Svobodová and coll./ Archa TheatreEnglish–friendly
Wed
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Červ ven!
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník.Thu
20:00
Petr Nikl – Yellow Darkness
a colourful melodrama
English–friendly
PQ+, Vektroskop
Fri
20:00
Petr Nikl – Yellow Darkness
a colourful melodrama
English–friendly
PQ+, Vektroskop
Mon
18:00
The Calm After the Storm
Kristýna Doležalová and Lily Carmen SmithEnglish–friendly
Archa.lab
Venue: Přístav 18600
Mon
18:45
The Calm After the Storm
Kristýna Doležalová and Lily Carmen SmithEnglish–friendly
Archa.lab
Venue: Přístav 18600
Mon
19:30
The Calm After the Storm
Kristýna Doležalová and Lily Carmen SmithEnglish–friendly
Archa.lab
Venue: Přístav 18600
Thu
15:30
Archa.lab
July 2019
Thu
18:00
Ordinary People - public rehearsal
Jana Svobodová, Wen Hui and coll. / Archa Theatre / Living Dance StudioFREE ADMISSION
Free Entry
Tue
18:00
Ordinary People / Festival d'Avignon
Jana Svobodová, Wen Hui and coll. / Archa Theatre / Living Dance StudioThéâtre Benoît-XII, Avignon, France
Tue
20:00
Keb´ Mo´ + support: Ripoff Raskolnikov
presented by Liver MusicWed
18:00
Ordinary People / Festival d'Avignon
Jana Svobodová, Wen Hui and coll. / Archa Theatre / Living Dance StudioThéâtre Benoît-XII, Avignon, France
Thu
18:00
Ordinary People / Festival d'Avignon
Jana Svobodová, Wen Hui and coll. / Archa Theatre / Living Dance StudioThéâtre Benoît-XII, Avignon, France
Sat
18:00
Ordinary People / Festival d'Avignon
Jana Svobodová, Wen Hui and coll. / Archa Theatre / Living Dance StudioThéâtre Benoît-XII, Avignon, France
Sun
18:00
Ordinary People / Festival d'Avignon
Jana Svobodová, Wen Hui and coll. / Archa Theatre / Living Dance StudioThéâtre Benoît-XII, Avignon, France
Mon
18:00
Ordinary People / Festival d'Avignon
Jana Svobodová, Wen Hui and coll. / Archa Theatre / Living Dance StudioThéâtre Benoît-XII, Avignon, France
Tue
18:00
Ordinary People / Festival d'Avignon
Jana Svobodová, Wen Hui and coll. / Archa Theatre / Living Dance StudioThéâtre Benoît-XII, Avignon, France
August 2019
Fri
10:00
International Summer School on Theatre in Social Context 2019
23 August – 6 September 2019Archa.lab
September 2019
Fri
10:00–17:00
International Summer School on Theatre in Social Context 2019
23 August – 6 September 2019Archa.lab
Fri
17:00
FREE ADMISSION
Archa.lab
Thu
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Mateřské půdy
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník.Sat
20:00
Makiko Goto & KRASTÍ
Czech experimental films and Japanese instrumentsSun
20:00
Tue
10:00
Listen to Franz Vol. 2
Slovák and Burian Jr.Archa for Schools
Wed
21:00
Russkies?
Jan Burian Jr., Jaroslav Hrdlička, Jana Svobodová and coll./ Archa Theatre#Study
Sun
20:00
One-room Flats
Veronika Knytlová, Jiří Havelka#Study
PREMIERE
Mon
20:00
One-room Flats
Veronika Knytlová, Jiří Havelka#Study
PREMIERE
October 2019
Wed
20:00
Jan Mocek – Virtual Ritual
Archa Theatre and Shared Cities: Creative MomentumEnglish–friendly
PREMIERE
Thu
20:00
Jan Mocek – Virtual Ritual
Archa Theatre and Shared Cities: Creative MomentumEnglish–friendly
PREMIERE
Fri
10:00–16:00
Sun
20:00
Samira Elagoz – Cock Cock... Who’s There?
4+4 DAYS IN MOTION 2019#Study
Mon
20:00
Gérald Kurdian – Hot Bodies – Stand Up
4+4 DAYS IN MOTION 2019English–friendly
Wed
20:00
Louis Vanhaverbeke / CAMPO – Mikado Remix
4+4 DAYS IN MOTION 2019English–friendly
Thu
20:00
Silke Huysmans & Hannes Dereere – Mining Stories
4+4 DAYS IN MOTION 2019English–friendly
Wed
20:00
Russkies?
Jan Burian Jr., Jaroslav Hrdlička, Jana Svobodová and coll./ Archa Theatre#Study
Thu
10:00
Russkies?
Jan Burian Jr., Jaroslav Hrdlička, Jana Svobodová and coll./ Archa Theatre#Study
Archa for Schools
Fri
18:00
EFB Festival / Theatre D as a cultural centre, Life feed from the EFB in the Archa Theatre
The avant-garde lives!Fri
20:00
EFB Festival / BERG Orchestra (CZ) & Kalabis Quintet (CZ),Pavel Bořkovec Quartet, Jan Burian Jr.
The avant-garde lives!Sat
14:30
EFB Festival / Štěpán Uhlíř: builder songs and jazz jam
The avant-garde lives!Sat
15:00
EFB Festival / EFB as the "forefather of multimedia creation"
The avant-garde lives!Sat
17:00
EFB Festival / E. F. Burian / Jaroslava Šiktancová / BodyVoiceBand – War
The avant-garde lives!Sat
18:30
EFB Festival / The Art of Engagement
The avant-garde lives!Fri
20:00
La Putyka
10 Years of Cirk La Putyka EnsembleSpecial bonus after the show – discussion, photo exhibition and DJ
Sat
20:00
Ščegetavček
Kadınlar: Daisy Alexander, Millie Done, Çiğdem Erdöl, Varja Hrvatin#Study
AKCENT FESTIVAL