METROPOLITAN
The Metropolitan at Palace of Arts: A series of live digital transmission of opera performances from the Metropolitan, enhanced with interviews with the main characters of the operas as well as extras from behind the scenes. The productions are in their original language, with Hungarian subtitles, while the interviews are shown in the intervals in English. Program: Hector Berlioz’s La damnation de Faust. The composition defined as a dramatic legend builds on three singers who embody the three main characters of the story: Faust (tenor), Mephisto (bass) and Margaret (mezzo-soprano). The choir and the rather large orchestra carry an important role in the music. The first venue in the four parts divided into two acts is Hungary, obviously identified by the characteristic peasant dance and the soldiers’ Rákóczi march. That is followed by the meeting of Faust and Mephisto, and then of Faust and Margaret. The last scene is the dramatic peak when Faust makes a deal with the devil and Margaret finds peace for her soul in heaven. Robert Lepage, one of the most creative directors of the Metropolitan, masterfully grasps the Berliozian idea of Good and Evil, Nature and Woman. Using unearthly projections, he creates a vision of the work in which art and technology are perfectly forged together. The production focuses on the singers, still, the view and the stage technology have a motion that accompanies the events taking place on stage. Performers: Marcello Giordani, Susan Graham, John Relyea (vocals), James Levine (conductor). Director: Robert Lepage. November 22, 7pm, Palace of Arts, Komor Marcell utca 1, Pest, District IX. Tel: 555-3000. www.mupa.hu
Faust
THEATER
Untitled Mars: A unique collaboration between leading American and Hungarian Theter artists. Taking a cue from the space industry, Jay Scheib's latest work pits hard Science against Philip K. Dick as inter-planetary speculation runs amok, the indigenous population gets screwed, and a strange "anomalous" kid seems to hold all the answers. Developed at MIT with a team of Mars researchers, a mission to colonize the Red Planet is revving up for 2017. Science vs. Fiction in this new work for seven performers and a simulated Martian environment—a story about moving society to Mars and what happens once we succeed. This collaboration on Mars Untitled is a crucial step in an almost ten-year old professional relationship between Pont‘s actor-director László Keszég and the dramaturge and producer, Anna Lengyel, whom Jay Scheib has invited to be part of the original Mars production in New York City. Performers: Natalie Thomas, Tanya Selvaratnam, April Sweeney, Caleb Hammond, László Keszég, Dorka Gryllus, Balázs Vajna. Conceived and Directed by Jay Scheib. Nov 28, 7pm, Nov 29, 3pm & 7pm, National Theatre Budapest, Bajor Gizi Park 1, Pest, District IX.Tel: 354-1777.
Untitled Mars
Contemporary Drama Festival Nov 21-30: The aim is to present the newest of European playwriting and theatre to the Hungarian audiences and industry as well as to map out the newest and most progressive theatrical works of Hungary for local and international audiences alike. Guest of honor: Slovenia. Program includes classical theatre, performance, dance theater, play-readings, music concerts and movie-evenings by Slovenian, Canadian and Hungarian artists. For performers, programs and venues please see: www.dramafestival.hu
FILMCLUB
Hungarian cinematographic highlights with English Subtitles: Prize-winning Magyar film produced in the 1990s. Program: Pleasant Days (2002, directed by Kornél Mondruczó). Silver Leopard, Locarno 2002, Main Prize, Burssels 2002, Foreign Critics’ Gene Moskowitz Prize, Budapest, 2002. November 25, 7pm, Uránia National Cinema Palace, Rákóczi út 21, Pest, District VIII. Tel: 486-3400. www.filmunio.hu
Pleasant Days
CIRCUS
Cie 9.81 (F): 9.81 - contemporary circus performance. A journey between sky and earth, Compagnie 9.81 plays and slides in between these two spaces as he tries to stay in touch with nature. During this intimate journey, Eric Lecomte – French circus artist – combines dance elements and acrobatics with aerial virtuosity. Lights and video projections create a new reality, in which the artist crawls, climbs, floats and flies. Defying laws of gravity, this poetic modern circus performance takes you into an imaginary universe. The artist developed his acrobatics and dancing with companies as Olivier Farge, Ex-nihilo, Retouramont, and Cahin-Caha Circus. Part of the Circle Around contemporary circus program series Nov 28-30, 8pm, Trafó House of Contemporary Arts, Pest, District IX, Liliom utca 41. Tel: 456-2055, 456-2050. www.trafo.hu
Cie 9,81
19.11.2008