Friday, April 13, 2012
Black Light Theatre, Prague
Black Light Theatre (in Czech černé divadlo) is a theatrical
performance style characterized by the use of black box theatre
augmented by black light illusion. This form of theatre originated
from Asia long long ago. It is a technique that can be found in many
places around the world, but it has become a speciality of Prague.
I recommend trying it once to see if you like it. The advantage is
that it is absolutely not necessary to speak Czech, which is a
language that I find hard to master even the simplest of greetings in.
So it is a foriegn theatre experience that is accessible.
The distinctive characteristics of "black theatre" are the use of
black curtains, a darkened stage, and "black lighting" (UV light),
paired with fluorescent costumes in order to create intricate visual
illusions. This "black cabinet" technique was used by Georges Méliès,
and by theatre revolutionary Stanislavsky ( a name I know more through
comedians making fun of him, than by his technique, but he is an icon
in 20th century theatre). The technique, paired with the expressive
artistry of dance, mime and acrobatics of the performers is able to
create remarkable spectacles.
Some might find it too silly, or too slapstick for their taste. But
it is worth one viewing, because it is unlike any thing that I have
seen in person.
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