September 3rd, 2010 The show/ Przedstawienie

August 23rd, 2010 Rehersals and preparations/ Próby i przygotowania

August 2nd, 2010 Shakespeare’s Map of Dolne Miasto – by Parrabbola

‘The main issue in Shakespeare’s ‘Pericles’ is exclusion. It is not by chance then that we shall perform this show in Dolne Miasto. For even though this area is close to the city centre, it somehow remains on the outside of the city, and its inhabitants – on the outside of society’, tells us Philip Parr from Parrabbola.

First, some simple exercises for relaxation. Later, some rhythmic ability tests – one had to tap their feet in a steady rhythm whilst repeating a sequence clapped out by the leader. Then, the best game – one has to walk around the room, then freeze at a signal and try to touch the other participants. Simple? Try doing it when you have to reach  them with your foot and your head, whilst touching your elbow to the floor… And finally – reading fragments of Shakespeare’s plays in Polish and English; individually, or with another person.
That was the course of the audition for ‘Pericles’ by William Shakepseare, organised in Gdansk on Monday by the British group Parrabolla. It is not a typical theatre group. They have a small permanent ensemble and work without their own stage. Their productions belong to the peculiar theatrical form called ‘community theatre’. ‘We travel the country, organising performances in various places, big or small,’ says Philip Parr, artistic director of Parrabolla. ‘We try to get to know the community, and then we create a completely new text that will talk about this place, or about the issues that the local people are facing. We search for actors on location, and we cast them in the performance. Thus, theatre is really close to the community, they are involved not just as spectators, but as creators of the show as well.’

Almost forty people came to the casting; mostly young people, who wish to do something worthwile during their holidays. But there were also some older people; one of the candidates was 50 years old. During the audition, the artists fro Parrabolla did exercises with the future actors, constantly joking. ‘Have you ever been in a play by Shakespeare?’ asked Philip Parr. ‘Brilliant!’ he exclaimed, having heard a negative response.
One of the first auditionees was 16-year-old Wiktor Stankiewicz. As opposed to most of the people who took part in the casting, he already has some acting experience. He was an extra in ‘The Tin Drum’ at the Wybrzeże Theatre, he also played a small part in ‘W stepie szerokim’, a film by Abelard Giza. ‘I came to the audition because I’m interested in theater, I also like being on stage,’ he says. ‘I’m looking forward to wokring with people form England, it’s always something new.’
All the people who attended the audition will take part in ‘Pericles’. ‘This wasn’t an audition to find the best candidates,’ Parr explains. ‘We just wanted to meet these people, and find out their skills, so that we can figure out which part will suit them best. And the actors were fantastic. Everyone was really engaged, full of energy. It’s a sign that we can create a really special performance.’
‘Pericles’ will be performed as part of the 14th International Shakespeare Festival. The play will be on at the beginning of August in the Dolne Miasto area of Gdansk. From the very beginning we wanted to address the issue of an outsider, someone excluded from society – Philip Parr claims. ‘And that is the main issue in ‘Pericles’. The whole play is a constant journey of the main character; wherever he goes, he’s a foreigner, a stranger. It is not by chance then that we shall perform this show in Dolne Miasto. For even though this area is close to the city center, it somehow remains on the outside of the city, and its inhabitants – on the outside of society. We wish to involve as many people from that area as possible. Apart from Poles, the cast of ‘Pericles’ will include several actors from the UK and from Romania.
The production will be quite spectacular. There will be several scenes in various areas of the district – in a former hospital, in the Łaźnia Centre of Contemporary Art, or in an old fire-station. The actors and spectators will travel from one place to another. ‘The action of ‘Pericles’ takes place in six different cities, and in the sea – when the main character journeys from city to city,’ Philip Parr tells us. ‘We want the different venues to express the styles of the cities visited by Pericles. We also want to use the Motława Canal, it will be the sea; we would like to place at least one of the scenes on a boat. Thus, we will draw a new map for the people of Dolne Miasto, a theatrical one. And for the spectators who have never been to Dolne Miasto, this will be not only a journey through the area, but also through the world created by Shakespeare.’
After the audition, the member of Parrabbola returned to the UK. However, they will return to Gdansk in July; that’s when the first rehearsals will start. The artists hope that the project will involve more than one hundred people. ‘Although it sounds terrifying, we don’t have a clue what the show is going to look like,’ says Philip Parr. ‘We want to give the people creating it as much freedom as possible, we will be open to new ideas. We will treat Shakespeare as a contemporary author; we won’t shun from changing the text if a need be.’