The National Theater Ballet will stage the Czech premiere of Kafka: The Process
The National Theater has prepared something special for everyone who loves music, dance and a attention to details. The NT Ballet's third premiere of the season is a luxurious modern production Process by renowned Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti. He was inspired by the literary masterpiece of the same name, written by Franz Kafka in 1914. The premiere takes place on Thursday 13 June in the Estates Theater.
In the middle of a deep night, a door opens and a woman wrapped in sheets of paper enters, symbolizing the fate of the sleeping protagonist and the furious anger he has to suffer...
Those are the words from the incipit of the work The Process by the famous Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti, who found himself captivated by the dark and depressive Kafka.
Bigonzetti bet on solitude
"The character of Joseph K. in The Process truly touched me - he expressed the loneliness of a man in the midst of a huge company. I saw and felt the body language of this sad and lonely man. And that is what you can touch in Kafka's work. Solitude. Not the small, everyday loneliness, but the truly profound inner solitude of man. Doubts, superficiality, misunderstandings… These are the topics calling out to you… "
Involved in the performance are the ballet masters Tereza Podařilová, Alexandre Katsapov and Jiří Kodym.
The dancers would go over dead bodies to dance under Bigonzetti
Mauro Bigonzetti is one of Italy's most famous contemporary choreographers, whose choreographies can be found in the repertoire of many large world ensembles (e.g. Berlin, Rome, London, Milan, Moscow, Stuttgart or New York).
During his time at Compagnia Aterballetto in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Bigonzetti developed his own distinctive style, which eventually became a symbol of the characteristic Italian concept of dance, theater and, last but not least, humor.
After leaving Aterballetto, he worked as a choreographer in reputable ensembles around the world - from Japan through Russia, Europe and South America to the USA. In February 2016 he was appointed Director of the Teatro alla Scala Ballet. Now he is fully engaged in the career of a free artist - choreographer. Getting into his ensemble is every dancer's dream.
Czech ballet is catching up with the Russians
Although Russia still holds the first place in the world ballet, the National Theater Ballet in Prague has a firm spot not only in the Czech Republic dance map, but also in the Central European context. It was founded already in 1883.
The National Theater Ballet currently consists of 81 dancers. Although the ensemble is national, Czech, dancers from 14 other countries are represented there.
It is the experience with various movement dictionaries that adds flavor to creative work. Thanks to a non-conform way of thinking about ourselves and the world around us, the ensemble is able to find its Central European identity. It offers a traditional classical repertoire as well as modern contemporary theater, spiced up with a unique flavor of artistic spirit that stems from the enchanting Prague multicultural environment. The artistic director is Filip Barankiewicz.
