M A R C E L - m i m e p e r f o r m a n c e
School years, the first love, youthful infatuation and plans for the future.
Life vibrant with colors, spurred on by an irresistible urge to conquer the world.
A group of friends, together in a classroom, share every moment of their young lives together.
Everything gets a harsh reality check when the nightmare of war begins.
A game is interrupted halfway through, a joke is left without a punchline, a class is not concluded.The production is a story of dreams and of persistence in pursuing one's goals.
It's also an affirmation of art which, in spite of the tragedies of history, death and adversities, triumphs over oblivion.
It was January 1991 when I showed my director's étude to Marcel Marceau.
It was supposed to be short mime drama telling a story of life in a local school in a village before World War II.
-'What title did you give it?', he asked.
-'"The Class", sir'.
I perfectly remember the silence that followed. In his mind, the master went back to his childhood; he had an intuition about the tragedy of what was about to come after that beautiful era came to an end.
The war would annihilate everything.
-'Lionel, it would be good if at the end of the story the children grew up, then grew old, and then reminded themselves about the lost illusions from the time when they were young'.
That must have bothered him a lot, because for a long time he encouraged me to continue with my work. As a tribute to him, I jump into that river... while imagining his penetrating stare and a slight grin.
"The Class" is now titled "MARCEL". Off we go, Monsieur Marceau...
Life vibrant with colors, spurred on by an irresistible urge to conquer the world.
A group of friends, together in a classroom, share every moment of their young lives together.
Everything gets a harsh reality check when the nightmare of war begins.
A game is interrupted halfway through, a joke is left without a punchline, a class is not concluded.The production is a story of dreams and of persistence in pursuing one's goals.
It's also an affirmation of art which, in spite of the tragedies of history, death and adversities, triumphs over oblivion.
It was January 1991 when I showed my director's étude to Marcel Marceau.
It was supposed to be short mime drama telling a story of life in a local school in a village before World War II.
-'What title did you give it?', he asked.
-'"The Class", sir'.
I perfectly remember the silence that followed. In his mind, the master went back to his childhood; he had an intuition about the tragedy of what was about to come after that beautiful era came to an end.
The war would annihilate everything.
-'Lionel, it would be good if at the end of the story the children grew up, then grew old, and then reminded themselves about the lost illusions from the time when they were young'.
That must have bothered him a lot, because for a long time he encouraged me to continue with my work. As a tribute to him, I jump into that river... while imagining his penetrating stare and a slight grin.
"The Class" is now titled "MARCEL". Off we go, Monsieur Marceau...
Script, Directing Lionel Menard
Assistant to the Director Paulina Staniaszek
Stage design and costumes Lionel Menard
Music Franck Gervais
Lights Andrzej Król / Paweł Srebrzyński / Jędrzej Skajster
Paiting and desing of scenery and costumes
Karolina Szaturska , Małgorzata Kupiec-Sporzyńska, Agnieszka Magiera
Cast: Ewelina Grzechnik, Paulina Staniaszek, Magdalena Kultys, Renata Birska,
Ireneusz Wojaczek, Bartłomiej Ostapczuk
"MARCEL" was first premiered in May 2015, and the official premiere took place
in 5 June 2015 during 15th International Mime Art Festival in Warsaw, Poland, at Dramatyczny Theatre.
Coproduction with Dramatyczny Theatre of Warsaw City.
Duration: 80 minutes without brake
Assistant to the Director Paulina Staniaszek
Stage design and costumes Lionel Menard
Music Franck Gervais
Lights Andrzej Król / Paweł Srebrzyński / Jędrzej Skajster
Paiting and desing of scenery and costumes
Karolina Szaturska , Małgorzata Kupiec-Sporzyńska, Agnieszka Magiera
Cast: Ewelina Grzechnik, Paulina Staniaszek, Magdalena Kultys, Renata Birska,
Ireneusz Wojaczek, Bartłomiej Ostapczuk
"MARCEL" was first premiered in May 2015, and the official premiere took place
in 5 June 2015 during 15th International Mime Art Festival in Warsaw, Poland, at Dramatyczny Theatre.
Coproduction with Dramatyczny Theatre of Warsaw City.
Duration: 80 minutes without brake
We did receive a many wonderful reviews from main Polish newspapers/critics.
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