DEADTOWN, THE FORMAN BROTHERS WILD WEST SHOW

The Forman brothers, the sons of famous film director Milos Forman, create the most arresting and original fantastical imagery on the contemporary Czech scene. With an itinerant and bohemian approach to life, for the past 25 years they have directed the company The Forman Brothers Theatre. Their tours of the most prestigious theatres and festivals in Europe, the USA and Mexico have brought them esteem while their nomadic life philosophy, their work method and their unconventional poetics cause them to remain at some distance from the masses. Those who have seen them, however, long for them to return to their city with a new production. The Forman Brothers Theatre is not based in any particular building, nor does it have a permanent team. Rather, new members are taken on for each specific show, and it sets up its own theatre wherever it goes.
Its latest work, Deadtown, is a surprising 3D silent film theatre piece. The images screened function as a stage set or illustration but also as a living set which connects to the actor to create a magical reality similar to that of Karel Zeman’s films. In this blend of animation (historically one of the strengths of the Czech film industry), powerful visual elements, live music, sound effects, their traditional artisanal work with marionettes and the performances of the actors, they step over the boundaries of optical illusion, discovering a new world. As in other shows by the Forman brothers, the audience does not merely enter a theatre venue but rather steps inside an original universe created specifically for each show. This time it’s the Wild West.
“In our nomadic life we have sailed the seas, wandered through opera houses, travelled with a ragtag troupe plus made our living chasing hens and pigs around a wooden shack. Our new expedition is heading to the Wild West. As naïve children from a small Czech town, our image of the Wild West was shaped by silent western films. We believed they lived in black and white or soft shades of sepia. And if we happen to have lost this idea by now, that imperfect image still remains close to our theatrical vision. Thus, this new performance by the Forman Brothers Theatre oscillates between theatre and silent film”, say the Forman brothers.     Photo (c) Irena Vodákobá, Jana Lábrová, Josef Lepša 

Credits:
Story and Script: Ivan Arsenjev, Petr Forman Director: Petr Forman Set Design: Josef Sodomka, Matěj Forman Interior design of tent: Matěj Forman Choreography: Veronika Švábová, Marek Zelinka and collective Music and songs: Marko Ivanovič, Jarda Traband Svoboda; La Lettera di Lincoln (Ennio Morricone). Musical arrangements: Jan Hasenöhrl with the collaboration of the Czech National Symphony Orchestra Costumes: Andrea Sodomková Animation: Josef Lepša Camera: Jaromír Kačer Sound effects and foley: Michal Holubec, Marek Poledna (Studio Bystrouška) Visual Postproduction: i/o post Production Technology: Jan Hrdlička, Jiří Wild (3D) Lighting Design: Louise Gibaud, Petr Forman Lighting Concept: Igor Schmidt, Petr ‘Goro’ Horký, Petr Forman Sound Concept: Philippe Leforestier, Philippe Tivilier Comedians, Illusionists, Gunslingers and Ladies: Petr Forman, Veronika Švábová, Marek Zelinka, Jacques Laganache, Daniela Voráčková / Simona Babčáková, Josefína Voverková, Vojta Švejda / Jiří Kniha, Michael Vodenka / Miroslav Kochánek, Ivan ”Zobák” Pelikán, Petr “Goro” Horký, Josef Sodomka / Ivan Arsenjev, Philippe Leforestier, Mitakuye Oyeasin, Jakub Tokoly Y Dizzy Gilagio (Didier Castelle, Francois Lezer, Michel Oger, Thierry Malard) Produced by: Forman Brothers Theatre Co-produced by: Théâtre-Sénart, Scène nationale - Lieusaint (France), Théâtre du Manège – Scène nationale – Maubeuge (France), Le Manège Mons – Centre Dramatique - Mons (Belgium), Parc de la Villette – Paris (France), MCB° Bourges - Bourges (France), MC2 : Grenoble - Grenoble (France), Latitude 50, Pôle des arts du cirque et de la rue - Marchin (Belgium), Avant Seine/Théâtre de Colombes - Colombes (France). With the support of: Théâtre de Cornouaille – Scène nationale de Quimper - Quimper (France), Silkeborg Dukketeaterfestival - Festival of Wonder - Silkeborg (Denmark), Festival Internazionale di Andria Castel dei Mondi - Andria (Italy), Città di Andria (Italy), La Ville de Rennes - Rennes (France), Théâtre National de Bretagne - Rennes (France) Financial support: Ministry of Culture, Czech Republic, City of Prague, Czech Republic. In collaboration with: C.S.Cargo, Panasonic, Messenger, CNSO
BUY TICKETS