January 2017
Sun
20:00
Ordinary People
Jana Svobodová, Wen Hui and coll. / Archa Theatre / Living Dance Studio#Study
AKCENT FESTIVAL
1st premiere
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
Mon
20:00
Ordinary People
Jana Svobodová, Wen Hui and coll. / Archa Theatre / Living Dance Studio#Study
AKCENT FESTIVAL
2nd premiere
Fri
20:00
Ordinary People
Jana Svobodová, Wen Hui and coll. / Archa Theatre / Living Dance Studio#Study
AKCENT FESTIVAL
Venue: HELLERAU – European Center for the Arts, Dresden
Sat
20:00
Ordinary People
Jana Svobodová, Wen Hui and coll. / Archa Theatre / Living Dance Studio#Study
AKCENT FESTIVAL
Venue: HELLERAU – European Center for the Arts, Dresden
Sun
20:00
Strange Beetle or Who Killed John Lennon
Divadlo Husa na provázku / Ondřej NovotnýMon
19:00
Ordinary People
Jana Svobodová, Wen Hui and coll. / Archa Theatre / Living Dance Studio#Study
AKCENT FESTIVAL
Venue: Divadlo Husa na provázku, Brno
February 2017
Sun
20:00
Fidlovačka or Who are We?
Spielraum Kollektiv / Archa.labThu
20:00
Divadlo Vizita — Unsustainable Development
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor ZborníkFri
20:00
Relax Now!
Spielraum Kollektiv / Archa.lab / Archa Theatre / HAMUArcha.lab
Sun
20:00
Sváteční Pop — Black
Milan Cais, Jura Hradil, Ondřej Smeykal, Petr NiklMon
20:00
Sváteční Pop — White
Milan Cais, Jura Hradil, Ondřej Smeykal, Petr NiklThu
20:00
Fear and Love / Every Soul Deserves a Home
Jessica LitwakArcha.lab
Mon
20:00
Fifth Walk Through Turnová's Grove
reading: Eva Turnová, music: EturnityWed
20:00
EKG Of Love and EKG
A literary cardiogram with Igor Malijevský and Jaroslav Rudiš.Thu
20:00
BUSKING UN/LIMITED
Spielraum Kollektiv / Archa.lab / Divadlo ArchaArcha.lab
Fri
20:00
BUSKING UN/LIMITED
Spielraum Kollektiv / Archa.lab / Divadlo ArchaArcha.lab
Small Inventory 2017
Mon
10:00–13:00
March 2017
Thu
20:00
John Mayall
Livin´ & Lovin´ The BluesPresented by 10:15 Entertainment
Sat
10:00–16:00
Don‘t pretend! Do it! — CANCELLED
one-day Archa.lab workshopArcha.lab
Mon
10:00–13:00
Fri
16:00–18:00
To Read Music. How to make a music magazine in 21st century?
with Mary C, Martin Tvrdý, Michal PařízekFree entry, registration required.
Sat
17:00–23:59
Constanza Macras / Dorkypark — The Ghosts
Moving AudienceHellerau, Dresden
Fri
11:00
Non-stop performance by Min Tanaka at the National Gallery in Prague
venue: Trade Fair PalaceSat
11:00
Non-stop performance by Min Tanaka at the National Gallery in Prague
venue: Trade Fair PalaceSun
12:00
Non-stop performance by Min Tanaka at the National Gallery in Prague
venue: Trade Fair PalaceSun
20:00
Brass Band
Jiří Havelka / Karel František Tománek / Vosto5Sun
20:00
EKG Of Love and Cleanliness
A literary cardiogram with Igor Malijevský and Jaroslav Rudiš.Mon
15:00–16:00
Non-stop performance by Min Tanaka at the National Gallery in Prague
venue: Trade Fair PalaceMon
20:00
Brass Band
Jiří Havelka / Karel František Tománek / Vosto5Mon
20:00
EKG Of Love and Cleanliness
A literary cardiogram with Igor Malijevský and Jaroslav Rudiš.Tue
12:00
Non-stop performance by Min Tanaka at the National Gallery in Prague
venue: Trade Fair PalaceWed
12:00
Non-stop performance by Min Tanaka at the National Gallery in Prague
venue: Trade Fair PalaceWed
20:00
The After Party
Pieter De Buysser / Archa Theatre#Study
premiere
Thu
20:00
The After Party
Pieter De Buysser / Archa Theatre#Study
premiere
Fri
20:00
The After Party
Pieter De Buysser / Archa Theatre#Study
premiere
Sun
20:00
Leoš or the Most Loyal Play
Divadlo Husa na provázku / Milan Uhde / Miloš ŠtědroňMon
20:00
Leoš or the Most Loyal Play
Divadlo Husa na provázku / Milan Uhde / Miloš ŠtědroňFri
20:00
BUSKING UN/LIMITED
Spielraum Kollektiv / Archa.lab / Divadlo ArchaArcha.lab
April 2017
Sun
20:00
Jan Burian — Improvisation and Vice Versa
Jan Burian, Jaroslav Kořán, Bizzare Band and othersWed
20:00
Divadlo Vizita — Round the Barrel
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor ZborníkThu
20:00
Divadlo Vizita — Down to DNA!
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor ZborníkThu
20:00
Jablkoň 40
Jablkoň, Dusilová, Svoboda, Květy, Váša, Nejtek, Stivín and othersSun
20:00
BUSKING UN/LIMITED
Spielraum Kollektiv / Archa.lab / Divadlo ArchaArcha.lab
Mon
15:00
BUSKING UN/LIMITED
Spielraum Kollektiv / Archa.lab / Divadlo ArchaArcha.lab
Archa for schools
Mon
20:00
BUSKING UN/LIMITED
Spielraum Kollektiv / Archa.lab / Divadlo ArchaArcha.lab
Wed
20:00
EKG Of Love and Night
A literary cardiogram with Igor Malijevský and Jaroslav Rudiš.Thu
20:00
EKG Of Love and Night
A literary cardiogram with Igor Malijevský and Jaroslav Rudiš.Sat
20:00
Brass Band
Jiří Havelka / Karel František Tománek / Vosto5Sat
20:00
NAOKO KIKUCHI — koto unlimited
guests: Hearn GADBOIS, Seizan OSAKO, Marek MATVIJASun
20:00
Brass Band
Jiří Havelka / Karel František Tománek / Vosto5May 2017
Thu
20:00
Divadlo Vizita — Universal Ancestor
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor ZborníkWed
20:00
EKG Of Love and Holidays
A literary cardiogram with Igor Malijevský and Jaroslav Rudiš.Thu
20:00
EKG Of Love and Holidays
A literary cardiogram with Igor Malijevský and Jaroslav Rudiš.Sat
20:00
Ultima Vez — Mockumentary of a Contemporary Saviour
Direction and choreography: Wim VandekeybusSun
20:00
Ultima Vez — Mockumentary of a Contemporary Saviour
Direction and choreography: Wim VandekeybusSun
20:00
Brass Band
Jiří Havelka / Karel František Tománek / Vosto5Mon
20:00
Ultima Vez — Mockumentary of a Contemporary Saviour
Direction and choreography: Wim VandekeybusMon
20:00
Brass Band
Jiří Havelka / Karel František Tománek / Vosto5June 2017
Thu
17:00–19:00
Archa.lab
Sun
20:00
BUSKING UN/LIMITED
Spielraum Kollektiv / Archa.lab / Divadlo ArchaArcha.lab
Mon
20:00
BUSKING UN/LIMITED
Spielraum Kollektiv / Archa.lab / Divadlo ArchaArcha.lab
Wed
20:00
Sváteční Pop — POPrask at Archa I.
Milan Cais, Jura Hradil, Ondřej Smeykal, Petr Nikl, VJ Clad and Ondřej EremiášThu
20:00
Sváteční Pop — POPrask at Archa II.
Milan Cais, Jura Hradil, Ondřej Smeykal, Petr Nikl, VJ Clad and Ondřej EremiášSeptember 2017
Wed
10:00
Archa Theatre International Summer School 2017
Theatre in Social Context / 6–17 September 2017Thu
14:00–16:00
Sun
18:00
Archa Theatre International Summer School 2017
Theatre in Social Context / 6–17 September 2017Mon
20:00
Divadlo Vizita — The Man Who Ate the Mole
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor ZborníkSat
13:00–16:00
Archa 15 Years after the Flood
Day of Architecture FestivalOctober 2017
Wed
20:00
VERTIGO 15 YEARS
guests: Lenka Dusilová, David Dorůžka, Kvintesence Quartet and Tara FukiFri
20:00–20:50
Respectable Thief
Nastio Mosquito (Angola/Belgium)#Study
4 + 4 DAYS IN MOTION
Sat
20:00–21:20
Zvizdal (Chernobyl – So Far, So Close)
Berlin (Belgium)#Study
4 + 4 DAYS IN MOTION
Sun
20:00–21:20
Zvizdal (Chernobyl – So Far, So Close)
Berlin (Belgium)#Study
4 + 4 DAYS IN MOTION
Mon
20:00–21:30
Roses
Dakh Daughters Band (Ukraine)#Study
4 + 4 DAYS IN MOTION
Thu
20:00–21:00
An Alerte
Taoufiq Izeddiou / Cie Anania (Morocco)#Study
4 + 4 DAYS IN MOTION
Sat
18:30–19:20
Quartiers Libres
Nadia Beugré (Ivory Coast/France)#Study
4 + 4 DAYS IN MOTION
Sun
20:00–23:00
Tadeusz Slobodzianek — Our Class
Divadlo Polárka, BrnoPrague premiere
Mon
10:00–13:00
Mon
20:00
Divadlo Vizita — I Am Your Wreath
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor ZborníkTue
16:00
Robert Wilson — 1 Have You been here before 2 No this is the first time
Moving Audience, Festspielhaus Hellerau, Dresden#Study
MOVING AUDIENCE
Fri
20:30
Colonization – new origin
VOSTO5 / Archa Theatre / 4+4 days in motion
Start of performance shifted to 20:30 due to technical reasons.
Sat
10:00–13:00
NEW!
Mon
20:00–21:00
Modern Table — Darkness Poomba
Choreography: Jae-duk Kim#Study
Tue
20:00
Brass Band
Jiří Havelka / Karel František Tománek / Vosto5Wed
20:00
Brass Band
Jiří Havelka / Karel František Tománek / Vosto5November 2017
Sat
10:00–13:00
Wen Hui, China / Dance in Social Context / Body and Social Memory
Workshop with Chinese choreographer and dancer Wen HuiArcha.lab
Wed
20:00
Divadlo Vizita — Half-hearted Lover
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor ZborníkThu
20:00
Divadlo Vizita — Forgetful Cook
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor ZborníkFri
20:00
Yi qi – Together (Czech-Chinese Music Encounter)
Jan Burian & Wen Luyuan#Study
Wed
18:00
Sat
19:00
Theatre Nights 2017 at Archa Theatre
guided tour and Ordinary People performanceTue
20:00
Ordinary People
Jana Svobodová, Wen Hui and coll. / Archa Theatre / Living Dance Studio#Study
AKCENT FESTIVAL
Wed
10:00
Ordinary People
Jana Svobodová, Wen Hui and coll. / Archa Theatre / Living Dance Studio#Study
AKCENT FESTIVAL
Archa for Schools
Wed
20:00
Ordinary People
Jana Svobodová, Wen Hui and coll. / Archa Theatre / Living Dance Studio#Study
AKCENT FESTIVAL
Fri
10:00
Fidlovačka or Who are We?
Spielraum Kollektiv / Archa.labSat
20:00
Milo Rau: Mitleid. Die Geschichte des Maschinengewehrs (Compassion. The History of the Machine Gun)
Schaubühne am Lehniner Platz, BerlinSun
20:00
Milo Rau: Mitleid. Die Geschichte des Maschinengewehrs (Compassion. The History of the Machine Gun)
Schaubühne am Lehniner Platz, BerlinSun
20:00
Brass Band
Jiří Havelka / Karel František Tománek / Vosto5Mon
20:00
Brass Band
Jiří Havelka / Karel František Tománek / Vosto5December 2017
Sun
20:00
Na protest aneb Pokoj lidem dobré vůně
Divadlo Husa na provázku / Radomil MatznerMon
20:00
Prince Myshkin is an Idiot: The Resurrection
Divadlo Husa na provázku / F. M. DostoevskyWed
20:00
Divadlo Vizita — Unfinished Trip
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník. Special guest: Yellow Sisters.Thu
20:00
Divadlo Vizita — Smrk moďoulům!
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník. Special guest: Dan Bárta.Sat
16:00
Peeping Tom – Moeder (Mother)
Moving Audience, Festspielhaus Hellerau, DresdenMOVING AUDIENCE
Sat
19:00
ENTER SHIKARI + LOWER THAN ATLANTIS & ASTROID BOYS
presented by www.conspiracy.czMon
10:00–13:00
January 2018
Mon
20:00
Wed
20:00
Divadlo Vizita — Perfect Repeat
Jaroslav Dušek, Pjér la Šé'z, Zdeněk Konopásek, Viktor Zborník.Thu
17:30
Music–Memory–Metamorphosis
A Multimedia Production Featuring Viktor Ullmann’s 1944 Theresienstadt Melodrama The Lay of Love and Death of the Cornet Christoph RilkeThu
20:00