RIDERS
THEATRE NEWSPAPER AWARD NOMINATION 2023
THALIA AWARD NOMINATION 2023
wider nomination for Monika Částková
WHEN THINGS GET OUT OF CONTROL, WE LOOK FOR A WAY OF TO FIXING THEM. THE PRODUCTION ABOUT TOLERANCE, WEAKNESS AND STRENGTH, DOUBT AND RESPECT, DESIRE TO CONTROL AND DESTRUCT
The ability to exist in symbiosis with other creatures on the planet, the importance of respecting the value of all beings, the uniqueness of species and the struggle to preserve them – these are the main themes of the production. The force and power of nature will always find their way and do what is necessary. Riders view human action through the eyes of birds. Of the ancient inhabitants of our planet, sentient, intelligent, free beings, shrouded in mythology. Of the silent observers of our destinies. We had learnt from them, admired them and worshipped them. Then we forgot. Birds are the only surviving group of dinosaurs. They were here before us and they will be here long after us.
"Now that we have learned to fly the air like birds, swim under water like fish, we lack one thing – to learn to live on earth as human beings." George Bernard Shaw
The Riders production is a "remake" of or sequel to the project Jezdci, which was at the birth of the Lenka Vagnerová & Company ten years ago as its pilot production.
PREMIERE 4th December 2022 in Comedy Theatre
Dedicated to Svatava Klenovská.
Concept, choreography, direction: Lenka Vagnerová
Music: Ivan Acher
Performed by: Matilde Giacomelli, Eliška Hulínská, Adam Sojka / Lukas Lizama Garrido, Leo Terris, Leonard Vo Tan
Scenography and Costumes: Eva Jiřikovská
Light design: Jiří Šmirk
Sound: Andrej Jurkovič
Photo: Vojtěch Brtnický
Producer: Lenka Vagnerová & Company
Coproduction: Městská divadla pražská.
Project supported by: Capital City of Prague, Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic.
Length: 70 min
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REVIEWS:
"Vagnerová is a truly original choreographer with a strong feeling for theatre. Her topics include existential questions of life: she is occupied with human life and the related worries, fears, anxiety, relationships, conflicts, and the eternal struggle to survive to the bone. However, she has a sense of humor and she can soften and downplay the dramatic situation and comical solution. And only very few people can do it. She does not spare the dancers, yet it is visible how she sympathizes with them. Her choreographic methods are full of technically challenging obstacles, requiring artistry and the ability to take a risk, which is very close to physical theatre. Her style is truly easy to identify."
"Dancers start moving, they attack and bump into each other, rotate and roll on the floor to jump in the air or on their partner. The dynamic part evokes animal movements and increases the tension of hearing, smell, and vision..."
"A clear cut in the plot Lenka Vagnerová is great in working with constantly brings our attention to the horrors of the world we live in."
"Lenka Vagnerová’s creative team is balanced. This concerns mainly Ivan Acher’s music, which holds the piece together and entices real music architecture. I sometimes feel that I can see his music images in a rich, colorful and spacious way."
"In Riders, we become “silent observers of our lives” which is what the author hoped for." (Taneční aktuality / Marcela Benoni)
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