Premiere: July 15, 2024, Prague
Abstract
A documentary and movement-based performance about chimneys, and performed on a chimney, bringing both factual insights and the emotions tied to this symbol of the industrial era. Today, many unused chimneys are being demolished. But with their destruction, the memory of the place disappears as well. Can these structures be preserved?
The audience is seated in deck chairs. Each chair includes a set of headphones with expert commentary interwoven with personal stories and experiences from members of the Czech Chimney Association.
The movement of the three performers on the chimney reveals its physical parameters, its dimensions, stability, mass, and material, but above all, its unmistakable verticality.
Video trailer
Creative team
Concept and Direction: Eliška Brtnická
Performers: Stéphanie N’Duhirahe, Alžběta Tichá, Lenka Švolíková / Eliška Brtnická
Dramaturgical Collaboration: Ondřej Holba
Movement Collaboration: Eleonora Dall’Asta
Sound Design: Stanislav Abrahám
Costumes: Lucia Račková
Expert Consultations: Martin Vonka, Přemysl Vacek
Technical Collaboration: Roman Džačár
Rigging: Marek Csukás
Photography: Jan Hromádko
Graphic Design: Martina Vaněčková
Production: Eva Roškaňuková
Producer: Cirkus Mlejn, z.s.
Interviews provided by:
Lenka Chroustová, Jan Bořík (Bouřka), Martina Ertlová, Vladimír Jiřička (Hugo), Pavel Kroupa, Petr Mikula, Vladimír Randýsek (Bob), Přemysl Vacek (Laco), Martin Vonka (Dany)
Partners: Cirqueon, Konsepti, The Temple of Hop and Beer in Žatec, Festival Za dveřmi
Supported by: Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, State Cultural Fund of the Czech Republic, City of Prague.
Financed by the European Union – Next Generation EU.
Special thanks to: Markéta Brna, David Řezníček, Ondřej Kolář, Karel Havelka, Markéta Lázňovská.
Technical requirements
Forms of presentation
Outside production.
Information about the company
She studied Nonverbal Theatre at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (HAMU), where she also completed her doctoral studies. In 2010, she founded the Cirkus Mlejn association, through which she creates her projects in collaboration with various artists. She is the recipient of the Main Prize of the Czech Dance Platform 2023 for the project THIN SKIN and a nominee for the Thalia Award 2022 for the performance Hang Out.
Trapeze artist Eliška Brtnická has long been engaged in artistic research within the field of contemporary circus. She seeks an artistic language that uses acrobatic technique while avoiding superficial “wow effects.” She continually asks the question: What is a trapeze? – deconstructing it in her research to find new expressive material. In her sound work, she often uses the format of audio documentary. Her work is visually distinctive, and she enjoys working in site-specific and gallery contexts. She collaborates, for example, with the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, (A)void Gallery, and the Benedikt Rejt Gallery in Louny.
