Preview Aug 2 17:20 (50mins) £6
Aug 3-13,15-25 17:20 (50mins) £8.00 (£6.00)
The Zoo
Skutr and the Archa Theatre Prague
present: The Weepers
Your urban folk. Poetic physical theatre.
SKUTR, one of the most talented
young Czech crossover theatre companies, make their debut at the Edinburgh
Fringe.
Inspired by traditional Slavic folk songs which were sung during
funerals, army call-up and other important moments of life, The Weepers
seeks parallels
with today’s world – what brings comfort to us now? The show
is for all who still feel their roots, but are bound to urban living.
What comes to our mind, when we enter an old country house?
Besides the
physical theatre for which they are renowned, the directors incorporated
a strong musical element to the performance. The Weepers
merges physical theatre, live singing, humour and choreography full of
energy.
“ SKUTR is in top form,” says the Prague Post. “Their
physical theatre and the setting guarantees rhythm, tempo and energy.
They wouldn’t be SKUTR if they didn’t bring in winning humour,
playfulness and metaphor,” adds another reviewer.
The two directors
behind SKUTR, Martin Kukucka and Lukáš Trpišovský,
are among the leaders of a new generation of Czech theatre makers. Their
crossover work combines physical theatre, acrobacy, drama, music or puppetry.
Awarded at international festivals, their qualities have also been recognised
by Czech critics, with 3 consecutive nominations for the Best Newcomer
of the Year. Prague Post’s Steffen Silvis dubbed them „the
two young geniuses“.
The Weepers is the last creation of SKUTR’s four years as artists
in residence in the Archa Theatre in Prague, which is the most renowned
Prague theatre in the international field. The Guardian called it “the
Alternative National Theatre”.
Part of the Czech Season at the Edinburgh
Fringe 2008 organised by the Czech Centre London, Czech Ministry of Culture
and Theatre Institute
in Prague.
Reviews
Physical theatre is often criticised
for having a lack of substance and consisting of movement without story.
'The Weepers', however, is a skillful and captivating integration of
these two facets, covering loss, childhood, and family, and supported
by live singing in Czech. These actors are so engaging; they will make
you laugh and cry with their chaotic feuding, quirky actions and playfulness.
In place of the dialogue there is some spoken word poetry, but mainly
the soundtrack guides the action. Every actor remains onstage watching
the others, intensifying the performance, whilst moments making use of
shadow are beautiful and shouldn't be missed. This integrated, well-executed
performance is captivating, and I left the theatre changed.
Three Weeks 5/5