PANOPTIKUM
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2019/2020 for Concept, Direction and Choreography
THALIA AWARD NOMINATION
2020 for Interpretation
Panoptikum is about the fear of the stranger and the unknown. About what we are capable of selling and at what price, about boundaries and moral values standing on profit, about fun without fun, loneliness, but also about laughter, courage, dreams, human dignity, the magician and the spotlights.
Panoptikum will take the audience on a journey through a surreal, mystical, decadent world inspired by the phenomenon of 19th-century traveling companies that showcased curious objects, exceptional skills – and, above all, unique individuals. It explores themes of power, manipulation, and the fear of the stranger and unknown.
“In Lenka Vagnerová's Panoptikum, the audience is thoroughly entertained, surprised, and left in awe. At the same time, this performance brings a powerful theme of humanism, which should guide all our actions, including artistic creation.” — Eva Langšádlová, Commissioner, CZECH TV
“Although Panoptikum is rooted in history, it speaks through a contemporary theatrical language about today’s world full of prejudice and distorted values. Some characters are inspired by the true fates of people or their deep emotions, desires, and dreams.” — Lenka Vagnerová, Choreographer and Director
—----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tis true, my form is something odd
but blaming me, is blaming God,
Could I create myself anew
I would not fail in pleasing you.
If I could reach from pole to pole
or grasp the ocean with a span,
I would be measured by the soul
The mind's the standard of the Man. Poem used by Joseph Merrick to end his letters, adapted from "False Greatness" by Isaac Watts
The performance was broadcast live on Czech television ČTart with viewership more than 17 thousand viewers.
CREDITS:
Concept, choreography, direction: Lenka Vagnerová
Dramaturgy: Lenka Vagnerová
Music: Ivan Acher
Performed by: Jana Hampl Maroušková, Paula Morejón García, Vanda Šípová, Anežka Hrabánková, Lukas Lizama Garrido, Adam Sojka, Leo Terris, José Martinéz GuzmánScenography: Jakub Kopecký
Costumes: Simona Rybáková, Jakub Kopecký
Illusions dramaturgy: Jiří Marek
Light design: Michal Kříž
Sound: Petr Taclík
Producer: Lenka Vagnerová & Company
Coproduction: Městská divadla pražská
Project supported by: Capital City of Prague, Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic.
Supported by: Eisfabrik e.V.
Photo: Vojtěch Brtnický
Thanks to: Vladimír Javorský
Reviews:
★★★★★ "Vagnerova and her eight superbly versatile performers know the abiding value of art that comes sincerely from the heart… Panoptikum is a memorable example of that at its finest” — The Herald
★★★★ "Dreamlike vignettes give enigmatic glimpses of 19th-century travelling ‘panoptikums" — The List
★★★★ “...feast for the senses”— The List
★★★★ "Panoptikum is a visually stunning dance and physical theatre experience full of macabre moments and arresting movement." — Theatre Weekly
★★★★ "Panoptikum will keep you absorbed and fascinated and deserves all the praise that will undoubtedly be heaped upon it. I recommend you see it before the run sells out—you won’t regret it..." — Theatre Weekly
★ ★ ★ ★ "Panoptikum promises physical theatre but delivers a magnificent showcase of eerie idiosyncrasies and haunting illusion” — Corr Blimey
★ ★ ★ ★“...so entertaining; constantly teasing its audience, refusing to give everything away…” — Corr Blimey
★ ★ ★ ★ “...brimming with character” — Corr Blimey
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED SHOW "Panoptikum is beautiful, poignant, unusual, magical, curious and about the stranger and unknown. It’s macabre, weird and wonderful!" — Fringe Review
"The Prague audience have the opportunity to see a work they will never forget. It is bitter as well as intoxicating. It will not let you breathe."
"Let us invite you to the world of curiosities and oddities. You will almost touch an elephant man, a snake woman or Siamese twins. You will witness real magic and spells. You will see things you have never seen before, a singing head, a revived doll and other rarities. The price of the ticket is than worth it, you will be leaving Lenka Vágnerová’s Panopticon with goosebumps."
"...invites the spectator to a mystically decadent, very visually compact freak show over which magical theatre dust of something ancient and magic hovers."
"In my opinion, this is another event of the season in its genre." MARKÉTA FAUSTOVA / DANCE ZONE
"So here we have another event of this year's dance and physical theatre season."
"Lenka Vagnerová and her company went to the dusty tents of travelling circuses and panopticons in order to extract from them the anomalies residing more in the twisted souls than bodies. The world inspired by the phenomenon of the nineteenth century says a lot about our contemporary world as well. Especially about our inner worlds..."
"We are witnessing the production of a degenerate circus and panopticon, in which sly fellows who master magic tricks and "charms" find refuge, and alongside with them people whose souls live and thrive in bodies with which nature has played a cruel game of gene mutations."
"The production itself offers a sequence of images that will not let the audience breathe for a moment and make them constantly fight with their own senses and reason." LUCIE KOCOURKOVÁ / OPERA PLUS
"Lenka Vagnerová has proved again that we have a great choreographic talent in her, gifted with a strong theatrical vision in which a grotesque view of the world combines with black humour and an understanding of art as a moral obligation. As it is in her nature, she has created a production that brings out one situation card after another, intelligently funny, slightly chastening and providing fairy-tale satisfaction."
"The choreographer Lenka Vagnerová’s creation is far from haphazard. Her works arise from concise formulations of pressing questions she asks herself and the world. These are often very painful questions. The last one, which became the theme of the Panopticon production presented in the Theatre Comedy, is of just that kind." NINA VANGELI / THE THEATER NEWSPAPER
"You can visit the Comedy Theater, whose permanent guest is the prestigious Lenka Vagnerová & Company. Lenka Vagnerová's productions are exceptional in the context of the Czech dance scene. They have a story, a plot, humor and a strong theme that they can also convey. And when it comes to means of expression, they are sublime, even total theater."
"Lenka Vagnerová's Panopticon, like its ancient predecessors, amazes, amuses and frightens the audience. But it also gives the audience possible parallels with today's strong emphasis on the topic of humanism, which should be binding for all our actions, including artistic creation." CZECH TV ART / Eva Langšádlová
AUDIENCE REACTIONS:
Audience reactions:
"Probably one of the best shows at Fringe this year, if not the best!" — Daniele Falcioni, Edinburgh Festival Fringe
"I think this might be the best thing I'll ever see at the Fringe. Or the best thing I'll ever see anywhere.. Its probably the 90 minute high point of my life. I feel a debt of gratitude to the performers (and the universe) so great that Im impelled to do whatever I can to evangalise its marvels to the dull-eyed masses who have not yet experienced its wonders.— Mike Forde, Edinburgh Festival Fringe
"Outstanding show! Stunning physical theatre, great music, costumes and script. Catch it if you can!" — Magdalena Kozicka, Edinburgh Festival Fringe
"Saw this show yesterday. Outstanding theatre from a very talented troupe; a stunning mix of dance,mime, magic,comedy, pathos,opéra. Go see it." — Hazel Turner, Edinburgh Festival Fringe
"Just back from seeing it this afternoon!! Outstanding show…..highly recommend it." — Celia Somers, Edinburgh Festival Fringe
"I saw this show last week and was knocked out by it. I loved every clever, fascinating second. I would go and see it again! European theatre at its most surreal and gripping." — Robin Lindsay Wilson, Edinburgh Festival Fringe
"Simply brilliant – the best of its kind I’ve seen on the Czech scene. It exceeded my expectations. A performance that captivates the audience with its atmosphere and expressive elements. A world-class level from all the performers. A show that is definitely worth attention. This was my first time, and it definitely won’t be the last." (i-Divadlo.cz, Jana Králová – 100%)
I thoroughly enjoyed the performance – at times, I was literally holding my breath. The sound and music were fantastic. Truly exceptional!
(i-Divadlo.cz, Lole)
“Hello, I saw today’s performance of Panoptikum on Festival Colours of Ostrava only by chance. I had no idea what to expect of it … and you left me breathless. REMARKABLE! I laughed a lit and suddenly found myself crying more than once. I'm still touched now. Fingers crossed for more great work.” (Hana Mikulcová)
“Thank you very much for the performance Panoptikum on Festival Colours. Amazing experience, you are incredible.” (Lenka Diaková)
“The performance Panoptikum. I haven't seen anything this great in a long time. I think it's outstanding.” (Jiřina Kubicová)
"I have already seen a number of performances of Lenka Vagnerová & Company and again I cannot express all the emotions I had thanks to this production. The beginning was full of anxiety, then everything turned into a light smile, which again turned into uncomfortable feelings to come again back to a smile and sometimes to a light laugh. But all the time I was fascinated. Always just watching what the human body can do, what all can be expressed through movement - the struggle for the right to be human, love, hate, envy - and so much more, using a minimum of props. Thank you for the wonderful experience." (Panoptikum / al.ma_pu.ra)
"Hello, I was at your performance today and I will not stop saying this: You are the best! thank you for what you create. It is a pleasure for our eyes!" (sofiantoshhyk)
A dance play. In 90 minutes, you'll hear only about four sentences, but through the dance movements, you'll learn everything. You’ll feel as if you’re in a 250-year-old panopticon, where you'll be simultaneously surprised, disgusted, enchanted, and appalled. Hats off to the performers. It’s brilliant! (Kristina Kurcová – 100% )
Etc.
Video media:
Other media:
Classic Praha / interview with Lenka
Mozaika - Český rozhlas / interview with Lenka
