Hungarian mime Csaba Méhes will perform on June 20.photo: Courtesy of Aréna Theatre
With its origin coming from German roots, the word Kaukliar means a person that does seemingly impossible things: an illusionist, magician or conjurer. Bratislava's fifth annual Kaukliar Mime Festival follows the traditions of its German ancestor Gaukler with the aim of bridging differences between western and eastern cultures - all with the help of a bunch of mimes.
Established and organised by Aréna theatre director Milan Sládek - the Slovak man-mime among mime-boys - the festival also hopes to monitor the latest development in mime developments while showing the subtle differences between different nations' mime techniques.
Also this year, Slovakia will host a traditional Japanese theatre and its presentation of the oldest theatrical form known to modern man.
Tickets: 100-150 Sk. All performances begin at 19:30 at Aréna Theatre, Viedenská cesta 10. To book tickets, call tel: 6224 6875 or 6224 6886.
Schedule of Festival Performances:
June 16
Kammertheatre Neubrandenburg (Germany): Small Home Music
Exploiting the theme of 'me against the world', a group of disgruntled and isolated tenants meet on a staircase to complain, but end up revealing their mutual aggresivness.
June 17
Milan Sládek (Slovakia): Pantomimes
A unique opportunity to see the most successful solo pantomimes by Milan Sládek, currently Slovakia's most revered mime who also enjoys signicant European fame.
June 18
Temps Fort Theatre (France): Perseus
The French Mask Theatre performs their adaptation of the Greek myth concerning Perseus and the Jellyfish, accompanied by great rituals and original music.
June 19
Hans Holzbecher (Germany): Message For a Certian Academy
Hans Holzbecher tries to discover the answers to Franz Kafka's philosophical questions: How does a man become the one he is? What is the meaning of freedom and responsibility?
June 20
Csaba Méhes (Hungary): Trout Quintet or Deaf Man And the Sea
A modern and humorous performance inspired by Schubert's composition 'Trout.' Normally played by a piano quintet, this version instead offers one one man dragging his feet throughout the performance.
June 21
Aréna Theatre (Slovakia): Carmen
Milan Sládek in a comic exaggeration and parody of the classical opera Carmen.
June 22
Ireneusz Krosny (Poland): Angle
Polish mime Ireneusz Krosny relates historical facts with contemporary angles on aspects of public and social life.
June 23
Pantakin Da Venezia (Italy): Zanni's Triumph
The best offering from this Venice group, Zanni's Triumph has been performed over 250 times around the world.
June 24
Umewaka Kennokai (Japan): Nů Theatre
The first ever opportunity to see the traditional Japanese lyrical-dancing mask theatre 'nů' in Slovakia, the show is enriched by rare costumes, vibrant music and superb acting.
Zuzana Habšudová
