November 2019
Sat
20:00
Night of the Theatres: Ordinary People
Jana Svobodová, Wen Hui and coll. / Archa Theatre / Living Dance StudioTheatre Nights 2019
18:30 a guided tour of the theatre (in Czech)
20:00 Ordinary People performance - limited capacity, reserve your seat at the theatre Box Office or via GoOut
Free admission.
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
As part of the Theatre Nights 2019
Performance was supported by
Sun
20:00
Vladimír Mišík – I’ll meet you one day, the album release show
Blue Shadows & guests, special guest: PAUL BRADYThu
20:00
#Study
AKCENT FESTIVAL
Fri
20:00
English–friendly
AKCENT FESTIVAL
Sat
20:00
Granma. Posaunen aus Havanna
Stefan Kaegi/Rimini Protokoll (CH/DE)English–friendly
AKCENT FESTIVAL
December 2019
Mon
10:00
Sat
20:00
EKG – Of Love and Jesus
Igor Malijevský, Jaroslav Rudiš and guestsSun
20:00
EKG – Of Love and Space
Igor Malijevský, Jaroslav Rudiš and guestsMon
20:00
1144
Tom Jaspers and Lise Grimelund-KjelsenEnglish–friendly
Archa.lab
Wed
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Vyhnání z mumráje
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník.Thu
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Jasná křeč
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník.January 2020
Tue
19:30–21:00
Public filming of the Jan Kraus Show 2020
Production: IN FILM PragueWed
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – The Latest Particles
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník.Thu
10:00
Archa for schools
Thu
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Abandoned Quarry
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník.Fri
10:00
Tue
10:00
Archa for Schools: Listen to Franz Vol. 5
Slovák and Burian Jr.Tue
19:30–21:00
Public filming of the Jan Kraus Show 2020
Production: IN FILM PragueSun
20:00
Home at the End of the World
Goose on a String Theatre / Anna DavidováTue
19:30–21:00
Public filming of the Jan Kraus Show 2020
Production: IN FILM PragueWed
20:00
Russkies?
Jan Burian Jr., Jaroslav Hrdlička, Jana Svobodová and coll./ Archa Theatre#Study
Thu
20:00
Russkies?
Jan Burian Jr., Jaroslav Hrdlička, Jana Svobodová and coll./ Archa Theatre#Study
February 2020
Tue
19:30–21:00
Public filming of the Jan Kraus Show 2020
Production: IN FILM PragueWed
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Cool Aunt
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník.Thu
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Careless Investigator
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník.Fri
10:00
Archa for schools
Sat
20:00
Efterklang, support: Kristín Anna
presented by10:15 EntertainmentSun
18:00
Jan Komárek – Hiroshima the Magician
SMALL INVENTORY FESTIVALEnglish–friendly
Tue
19:30–21:00
Public filming of the Jan Kraus Show 2020
Production: IN FILM PragueThu
20:00
Jan Mocek – Virtual Ritual
SMALL INVENTORY FESTIVAL#Study
Fri
20:00
Jan Mocek – Virtual Ritual
SMALL INVENTORY FESTIVAL#Study
March 2020
Tue
19:30–21:00
Public filming of the Jan Kraus Show 2020
Production: IN FILM PragueThu
10:00–15:00
Blanka Žižka: The Body Knows / Tělo to ví
March 5 – 8 / workshop for proffesional actors, dancers and directorsArcha.lab
Fri
20:00
Rimini Protokoll (Stefan Kaegi) / Thomas Melle / Münchner Kammerspiele – Uncanny Valley
Presented by The Prague Theatre Festival of German Language and Archa TheatreSat
17:00
Rimini Protokoll (Stefan Kaegi) / Thomas Melle / Münchner Kammerspiele – Uncanny Valley
Presented by The Prague Theatre Festival of German Language and Archa TheatreSat
20:00
Rimini Protokoll (Stefan Kaegi) / Thomas Melle / Münchner Kammerspiele – Uncanny Valley
Presented by The Prague Theatre Festival of German Language and Archa TheatreMon
20:00
THOMAS & RUHLLER (NL) – Eiland / CANCELLED DUE TO TECHNICAL REASONS
Purchased tickets can be returned at the place of purchase. E-Tickets: the amount will be automatically returned to bank account.Thu
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Unrepeatable Joke / NEW DATE: 7 October 2021
postponed from 12 March 2020, 29 October 2020, 27 January 2021 and 12 May 2021Fri
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Merciful Fit – POSTPONED TO October 30, 2020
Your tickets remain valid.Sun
20:00
Dan Bárta & Illustratosphere / Zvířený prach tour – POSTPONED TO 2 NOVEMBER 2020
Your tickets remain valid.Mon
20:00
Listen to Franz Vol. 7 – POSTPONED INDEFINITELY
Your tickets remain valid. We will inform you about the new date through our website and social networks.Thu
20:00
Andrej Šeban a Petr Nikl – Vyšinu – POSTPONED TO 10 SEPTEMBER 2020
Purchased tickets remain valid.Sun
16:00
Jurisic – Mandicc (SL): Together / CANCELLED
Bazaar FestivalThu
20:00
Fidlovačka or Who Are We? – CANCELLED
The performance was cancelled. Your tickets will be refunded.Fri
10:00
Archa for Schools: Fidlovačka or Who Are We? – CANCELLED
Purchase tickets will be fully refunded.Mon
20:00
Collective Nesladim – House Without Sleep – POSTPONED TO 14 JULY 2020
Your tickets remain valid.April 2020
Fri
20:00
Gadžové jdou do nebe – POSTPONED TO 18. 9. and 19. 9.
Your tickets remain valid.Sat
20:00
Gadžové jdou do nebe – POSTPONED TO 18. 9. and 19. 9.
Your tickets remain valid.Mon
20:00
Maceo Parker / POSTPONED TO November 2, 2022
Presented by ISAMAX s.r.o.Thu
20:00
Collective Nesladim – House Without Sleep – POSTPONED TO 15 JULY 2020
Your tickets remain valid.Wed
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – After All – POSTPONED TO November 29, 2020
Your tickets remain valid.Thu
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Unhappy Return – POSTPONED TO November 30, 2020
Your tickets remain valid.Sat
20:00
EKG – Of Love and Fire – POSTPONED TO OCTOBER, 2020
Your tickets remain valid.Sun
20:00
EKG – Of Love and Fire – POSTPONED TO OCTOBER, 2020
Your tickets remain valid.Mon
20:00
CANCELLED: Van der Graaf Generator
presented by 10:15 EntertainmentWed
20:00
Destroyer – POSTPONED TO JANUARY 22, 2021
Purchased tickets remain valid.Sat
17:00
Colonization – new origin / POSTPONED TO DECEMBER 2021
Your tickets remain valid.Sun
20:00
Colonization – new origin / POSTPONED TO DECEMBER 2021
Your tickets remain valid.Mon
20:00
Colonization – new origin / POSTPONED TO DECEMBER 2021
Your tickets remain valid.Wed
20:00
Swans / CANCELLED
presented by Scrape Sound Inc., Silver Rocket and Archa TheatreMay 2020
Wed
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Lost Universe – POSTPONED TO 18 JUNE 2020
Purchased tickets remain valid.Thu
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Carious Vulture – POSTPONED TO 18 JUNE 2020
Purchased tickets remain valid.Thu
20:00
Fri
20:00
Fri
20:00
Collective Nesladim – House Without Sleep – POSTPONED TO 15 JULY 2020
Your tickets remain valid.Tue
19:30
Public filming of the Jan Kraus Show 2020
LIMITED CAPACITY – REGISTRATION NECESSARYWed
20:00
Tros Sketos / POSTPONED TO DECEMBER 20, 2021
Purchased tickets remain valid.Thu
20:00
June 2020
Tue
19:30
Public filming of the Jan Kraus Show 2020
LIMITED CAPACITY – REGISTRATION NECESSARYFri
10:00
Fri
10:00
Petr Nikl - Yellow Darkness / postponed to September 25, 2021
a colourful melodramaArcha for schools
Wed
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Geyser of Futility
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník.Thu
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Vykladači egyptských hlodů
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník.July 2020
Tue
20:00
postponed from 30 March 2020
Wed
20:00
postoponed from 9 April and 22 May 2020
Fri
18:00–02:00
Mr. Wombat Showcase
feat. Avokaduo, Branko´s Bridge, Grottup, DJ Šaty s vlečkouMon
20:00
Divadlo Vizita - Tajemství vlastního těsta
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník.Fri
20:00
FALL FROM EVEREST + Velkatlusta0 + Lighthouse Keeper
moved from Varšava club on 13 March 2020August 2020
Sun
20:00
Swans / CANCELLED
presented by Scrape Sound Inc., Silver Rocket and Archa TheatreMon
Archa.lab
September 2020
Thu
20:00
Sat
18:00
Meeting with Václav Janoščík
venue: Cafe Plavky at the entrance door of ArchaSat
20:00
The Toy Dolls / NEW DATE: 5 NOVEMBER 2022
Purchased tickets remain valid.Sat
20:00
Collective Nesladim – House Without Sleep
+ discussion with Monika KlikováSun
19:00
Nová syntéza: Radim Hladík Tribute - POSTPONED TO 12. 9. 2021
support: Megaton Stars BandSun
20:00
CANCELLED: Van der Graaf Generator
presented by 10:15 EntertainmentFri
20:00
Gadžové jdou do nebe
Goose on a String TheatreSat
20:00
Gadžové jdou do nebe
Goose on a String TheatreMon
19:00
English–friendly
Wed
20:00
Berg Orchestra – 20th Anniversary Season
NARRATORS | … poetry, texts, voicesFri
20:00
postponed from 28 May 2020
October 2020
Sat
20:00
EKG – Of Love and Fire
Igor Malijevský, Jaroslav Rudiš and guestsSun
20:00
EKG – Of Love and Fire
Igor Malijevský, Jaroslav Rudiš and guestsMon
16:00–18:00
Please reserve your seat.
Sat
18:00
Hynek Medřický – Vliv světla na živé organismy
venue: Cafe Plavky at the entrance door of Archa TheatreSat
20:00
Collective Nesladim – House Without Sleep
+ discussion with Karolína JankůWed
19:00
Petr Nikl - Yellow Darkness / postponed to September 25, 2021
a colourful melodramaArcha for schools
Fri
20:00
Jiri Bartovanec - Education project in collaboration with Duncan Centre / POSTPONED TO 19 JULY 2021
Adaptation of Kreatur - Sasha Waltz performed by students of Ducan CentreTue
19:30
Wed
20:00
My Family – A Study of Discussions About the Climate Crisis / POSTPONED TO 17 MARCH 2021
HaDivadlo / I. Buraj, P. Sterec, B. KarásekFri
10:00–13:00
Sat
20:00
Sun
20:00
Maceo Parker / POSTPONED TO November 2, 2022
Presented by ISAMAX s.r.o.Tue
19:30
Thu
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Unrepeatable Joke / NEW DATE: 7 October 2021
postponed from 12 March 2020, 29 October 2020, 27 January 2021 and 12 May 2021Fri
20:00
Divadlo Vizita – Merciful Fit / POSTPONED TO 28 JANUARY 2021
posponed from March 13, 2020November 2020
Sun
16:00
Jurisic – Mandicc (SL): Together / CANCELLED
Bazaar FestivalSun
18:00–23:59
Mon
20:00
Tue
19:30
Wed
10:00
Thu
20:00
International Roma Day / CANCELLED
a gala eveningSat
20:00
The Crimson Marathon / POSTPONED TO 24 OCTOBER, 2021
presented by Prague Music Performance and Archa TheatreTue
19:30
Wed
20:00
Tara Fuki - album launch - POSTPONED TO 3 NOVEMBER 2021
Presented by Archa Theatre and Indies ProductionFri
20:00
Sat
20:00