PA.DI.PA.RE, or "the one given by God", is a monumental dance-acoustic show about evolution. It is based on various mythologies, gains inspiration from current events and joins people of all creeds. Since its premiere in 2002 at the Jonáš Záborský theatre in Prešov, PA.DI.PA.RE has performed regularly but has never left its home stage.
On September 9 the troupe finally steps out of its Prešov hideout and travels to Bratislava. In the courtyard of the Primate's Palace, PA.DI.PA.RE will re-create the best of what it delivers: a vision of the world's progress seen through the eyes of ambassadors of prehistoric animals, primeval men learning the power of emotions, discoverers exploring the good and evil of their inventions and the deity overseeing it all.
The Bratislava show "will present the most powerful dance scenes" says Jaroslav Moravčík, the show's director, choreographer and librettist. "Full of rhythm, singing, visual effects and inventive costumes, it breaks all language barriers."
Moravčík designed the show for a large, moving stage with plenty of light effects. With the help of set designer Pavol Andraško and professional riggers, water floats (parachute material) and giant trilobites and giant dinosaurs roam (bamboo sticks and tricks with visual effects). Four theatre actors, 18 ballet dancers, 16 choir members and eight soloists do their thing. Costume designer Jana Kuttnerová-Hurtigová has dressed the ensemble in creative costumes affixed with noise-making devices, such as pans and bottle caps. Asians, for example, wear cymbals and whisks instead of traditional straw hats. The director encourages his performers to improvise sounds onstage to augment music composed by Peter Niňaj.
Moravčík says performing the show in a public space in Bratislava will be a challenge. But the director is confident that audiences will respond positively. "Those who don't know the original will be enchanted."
The Bratislava performance starts at 19:00 at Primaciálne námestie (Primate's Square) on Friday, September 9. Those who want more than a taste of PA.DI.PA.RE can travel to Prešov and see the full version at the Divadlo Jonáša Záborského.
