Don't worry, it will be either good or funny - this has been my optimistic motto for a long time, which is especially true for artistic events. More so in the case of theater. The result: you simply cannot have a bad time! :) Yes, I did fully enjoy the Lábjegyzet Színház's (Footnote Theater's) show yesterday. Nevertheless, I cannot stop wondering why they did not turn the drama into a satire - if it was already a parody of itself!?
The performance, called “Desires of the alive” (Az élők vágyai), is an adaptation of Kalidasa’s Shakuntala, a well-known Sanskrit drama. The director, Norbert Varga made a dangerous choice, considering deeply rooted cultural differences. How could a Hungarian audience take seriously a play based on Hindu beliefs and morals? Still, Indian culture (as such) often gets violated by the ignorance of the interpreters. Actually I could perfectly imagine it as a Bollywood-type romantic comedy in the form of a musical, where the viewers have a chance to take a break of the repressed chuckle during the colourful dance scenes.
The story is a fairytale-like love story. King Dushyanta, hunting in the woods, finds the beautiful orphan Shakuntala, who is living with an old sage. Love at first sight. However, death and sacrifice separate them. Of course nothing can get in the way of true love, with the help of mother Ganga and Kama (the Indian Amor) the couple reunite. Cheesy, no?
Reciting a classical rhyming text, is a challenge, I agree on that. (Again, why the choice, please?) The Footnote Theater is the amateur theater club of the student dorm in Ötthalom (ourskirts of Szeged). Bleating and trembling hands are pardonable. Childish intonation, out-of-role make-up and disturbing stage motions (= don’t turn your back always to the audience) less so. King Dushyanta (Péter Bács) far outplayed his colleagues but Mónika Baksán and “Sage Kanva” did a good job, too.
* * *
The “Desires of the alive” is a ca. 1.5 hours play IN HUNGARIAN. No information yet on the next show. Tickets cost 800 HUF.
Pinceszínház
Pinceszínház, a.k.a. “vault theater” used to be an important pillar for alternative theater and amateur groups in Szeged. After only 5 years of existence it had to close down eventually because of urgent technical problems: the walls cellar giving home to the institution got soaked with rainwater. There was no hope (financial resources) for renovation so the company had to move. It opened again in December 2009 at its new place, in the backyard of Dugonics tér 2. The place changed, the unbearable humidity and the musty air remain the same.Let’s hope Pinceszínház makes his mark once again!
