vrijdag 30 juli 2010
dinsdag 27 juli 2010
Saturday, 24th july, day four
Today promised to be a both exhilarating and stressful day, since it is the first day a performance of the Lens group was scheduled.
After getting up early and enjoying the Lebanese breakfast at the hotel, it was time for technical tinkering, troubleshooting and testing. Time flies when working hard, as it was already time for lunch. The quick bite provided the much needed energy for the next few hours. Tension rose as the technical issues were still not resolved, which manifested itself in an unstable connection between the operator, the soldier in the field and the audience.
The deadline for the rehearsal approached as the attending crew from LAU was being searched for victims to test the installation. The group finished some last preparations as the testing subjects gathered. As blindfolds were being put on, some basics about the game, as well as the background story were told. The volunteers were led around the campus for disorientation. The game started after the remaining rules were explained. Our two Lebanese friends ventured into the course set for them. After the exiting game, it was clear Edwin, Danny and Sem did a great job putting the tech together. Just one more test run before the actual performance. The second run went good. It was now time to dress, and for Rosa and Joël to prepare for the performance.
Around 6:30, with some delay, Joël and Rosa turned to the audience and introduced them to ‘Project Lens’. Omar and Barfu were the brave volunteers to venture into the parcours. After being led to the gaming area, they were introduced to the rules and some tips. It became clear soon that this couple was going to do everything needed to win the game, even if it meant ripping Evert apart (the corpse). Sadly, this team did not complete their mission, leaving Omar exploded. The audience was extremely enthusiastic about the game, leaving us with a large number of volunteers for the next game.
While a play by the Belgians started, the group reset the course and technique.
The second performance went great as well. Cynthia and Lea did have some troubles, however, with the lack of light. They did win the game though! This second performance was therefore also successful. After the performance, the group managed to get to the next play in time, which was performed by the Moroccans. The Moroccan play was quite humorous, reminding us to some old Dutch plays.
The night really started when people started dancing on the Arab beats on the square in front of the theatre. We were going barhopping with the locals after a short while to refresh ourselves in the hotel. The rest of the night was filled with dancing, drinking and meeting interesting people. Yet another great day in Beirut!
After getting up early and enjoying the Lebanese breakfast at the hotel, it was time for technical tinkering, troubleshooting and testing. Time flies when working hard, as it was already time for lunch. The quick bite provided the much needed energy for the next few hours. Tension rose as the technical issues were still not resolved, which manifested itself in an unstable connection between the operator, the soldier in the field and the audience.
The deadline for the rehearsal approached as the attending crew from LAU was being searched for victims to test the installation. The group finished some last preparations as the testing subjects gathered. As blindfolds were being put on, some basics about the game, as well as the background story were told. The volunteers were led around the campus for disorientation. The game started after the remaining rules were explained. Our two Lebanese friends ventured into the course set for them. After the exiting game, it was clear Edwin, Danny and Sem did a great job putting the tech together. Just one more test run before the actual performance. The second run went good. It was now time to dress, and for Rosa and Joël to prepare for the performance.
Around 6:30, with some delay, Joël and Rosa turned to the audience and introduced them to ‘Project Lens’. Omar and Barfu were the brave volunteers to venture into the parcours. After being led to the gaming area, they were introduced to the rules and some tips. It became clear soon that this couple was going to do everything needed to win the game, even if it meant ripping Evert apart (the corpse). Sadly, this team did not complete their mission, leaving Omar exploded. The audience was extremely enthusiastic about the game, leaving us with a large number of volunteers for the next game.
While a play by the Belgians started, the group reset the course and technique.
The second performance went great as well. Cynthia and Lea did have some troubles, however, with the lack of light. They did win the game though! This second performance was therefore also successful. After the performance, the group managed to get to the next play in time, which was performed by the Moroccans. The Moroccan play was quite humorous, reminding us to some old Dutch plays.
The night really started when people started dancing on the Arab beats on the square in front of the theatre. We were going barhopping with the locals after a short while to refresh ourselves in the hotel. The rest of the night was filled with dancing, drinking and meeting interesting people. Yet another great day in Beirut!
Friday, 23rd july, day three
Today, an early start was necessary for all the technical stuff from Lens and a complete theatrical runthrough for ‘Dwaal’ to be completed. The breakfast provided our hard workers with the much needed nutrition.
The morning was spent troubleshooting several technical issues, putting all the props together, practicing and practicing some more. After lunch, the entire group went to watch Dwaal, which would be their final practice before the actual show.
After another afternoon of tech, Dwaal’s moment of fame arrived. The audience was surprised by the theatrical form of the play, and rewarded the actors with complements. Dinner was being served before heading to the next performance: Seven Jewish Children. A wonderful performance about the Palestine-Israel conflict. Returning to the square, Rami’s group performance group was starting their public warming up for their open rehearsal of ‘In the heart of the heart in another body’. This beautiful play charmed the audience with its wonderful acting. Most of the group, tired of a long day’s work, returned to the hotel for some well-earned sleep. Others went to celebrate their successful play.
The morning was spent troubleshooting several technical issues, putting all the props together, practicing and practicing some more. After lunch, the entire group went to watch Dwaal, which would be their final practice before the actual show.
After another afternoon of tech, Dwaal’s moment of fame arrived. The audience was surprised by the theatrical form of the play, and rewarded the actors with complements. Dinner was being served before heading to the next performance: Seven Jewish Children. A wonderful performance about the Palestine-Israel conflict. Returning to the square, Rami’s group performance group was starting their public warming up for their open rehearsal of ‘In the heart of the heart in another body’. This beautiful play charmed the audience with its wonderful acting. Most of the group, tired of a long day’s work, returned to the hotel for some well-earned sleep. Others went to celebrate their successful play.
vrijdag 23 juli 2010
Thursday 22nd July. Day Two
After an exhilarating first day, the second day promised to be a day of hard work setting up, meeting the rest of the festival crew and the grand opening of the event. The breakfast in the hotel provided the team with a nutritious start. Whilst Rosa was sewing, Danny and Edwin updated the blog. The group ventured to the campus carrying all of the equipment- which was harder than it sounds in the already burning sun. ‘Wander’ started setting up their stage, as ‘Lens’ worked on putting their suitcase bomb together. Time flew, as it was already time for lunch.
The Lebanese again showed they excelled at cooking enormous quantities of food. We encountered the Moroccan, Tunisian, Egyptian and Syrian delegates. We then discovered our French was a bit rusty. After lunch, the group continued on their production work.
At six, we returned to the hotel to freshen up for the grand opening. The grand opening, which started a bit later than we expected, provided us a chance to meet the Dutch ambassador who has given us this great opportunity, among others, to attend the festival. The opening play (Kafka, The father, the boss, the wolf and the pigs), which was sadly in Arabic, did show us the refined quality of Lebanese theatre. We enjoyed the Lebanese delicacies, a recital, finishing the opening with a concert. We then returned to the hotel, where some ventured into the Beirutian nightlife and some in to sleep. A splendid second day on the LAU international theatre festival.
The Lebanese again showed they excelled at cooking enormous quantities of food. We encountered the Moroccan, Tunisian, Egyptian and Syrian delegates. We then discovered our French was a bit rusty. After lunch, the group continued on their production work.
At six, we returned to the hotel to freshen up for the grand opening. The grand opening, which started a bit later than we expected, provided us a chance to meet the Dutch ambassador who has given us this great opportunity, among others, to attend the festival. The opening play (Kafka, The father, the boss, the wolf and the pigs), which was sadly in Arabic, did show us the refined quality of Lebanese theatre. We enjoyed the Lebanese delicacies, a recital, finishing the opening with a concert. We then returned to the hotel, where some ventured into the Beirutian nightlife and some in to sleep. A splendid second day on the LAU international theatre festival.
donderdag 22 juli 2010
Day one, 21st July
Tuesday, 21st of July Day One
After arriving at the Marble Tower Hotel in the Hamra district, our luggage secured in the lounge before additional rooms were available. Rami, one of the hosts of the festival, took us for a early walk around the neighbourhood. The first impression of daytime Beirut let us along the university, ending at a diner 'barbar'. Here we were treated to some fine culinary arts native to Lebanon. After this pitstop, we continued our tour towards the sea. Along the way we encountered some urban wildlife, the scorching lebanese sun and the erratic traffic. The mediterranean sea appeared on the horizon, providing an idyllic view of the Beirutian coastline. We were drawn to a small oasis, where we enjoyed some refreshments. Around eleven we returned to the Hotel to catch up a few hours of sleep.
At 1 pm, the entire group ventured to the campus of Lebanese American University. The group was treated on a tour around the campus by Rami, Ilat and another student. The tour led us past the gym, the two theatres, the campus gardens, the library, the new building and quite a few interesting people. After a decent lunch and some final announcements, the group split up to attend to production related matters.
Around 10, dinner was served in the Hotel. The delicious meal and a wonderful first day were topped off by a toast.
After arriving at the Marble Tower Hotel in the Hamra district, our luggage secured in the lounge before additional rooms were available. Rami, one of the hosts of the festival, took us for a early walk around the neighbourhood. The first impression of daytime Beirut let us along the university, ending at a diner 'barbar'. Here we were treated to some fine culinary arts native to Lebanon. After this pitstop, we continued our tour towards the sea. Along the way we encountered some urban wildlife, the scorching lebanese sun and the erratic traffic. The mediterranean sea appeared on the horizon, providing an idyllic view of the Beirutian coastline. We were drawn to a small oasis, where we enjoyed some refreshments. Around eleven we returned to the Hotel to catch up a few hours of sleep.
At 1 pm, the entire group ventured to the campus of Lebanese American University. The group was treated on a tour around the campus by Rami, Ilat and another student. The tour led us past the gym, the two theatres, the campus gardens, the library, the new building and quite a few interesting people. After a decent lunch and some final announcements, the group split up to attend to production related matters.
Around 10, dinner was served in the Hotel. The delicious meal and a wonderful first day were topped off by a toast.
dinsdag 20 juli 2010
On our Way!!
We had a terrible time at Schiphol airport, we forgot we flew business class so there was nobody in front of us :-)
The plane from Tarom left right on time and with 20 kg performance luggage it was not a problem to check everything in. The five of us: Rosa, Joël, Sem, Edwin and Danny were seated business class and we had a nice meal on the plane.
At the moment we are drinking a cocktail @ Bourbon in Bucharest - what a life, we got some Lei (and mini Lei = local currency) and we're continuing our flight in a couple of hours to Beirut. The others: Trudi, Margit, Maud, Erwin, Reinier and Trudy must have left Amsterdam too.
We will all meet at the airport from Beirut and we will be finally together ;-) we're looking forward to a good time and a nice festival!
ps check out our press releases.
donderdag 15 juli 2010
Where we stay and where we play
We received the address of our hotel where all 11 of us will be staying. It will be a ball with all the other international visitor's/ performers staying there too. In the middle at the orange !!! square we stay and left at the bottom is the LAU on ten minutes walk to play.....
We will be picked up by two students from the Lebanese American University around 3 o'clock in the morning on the 21st of June.
Performance: 'Dwaal' / 'Wander'
Performance: 'Dwaal' / 'Wander'
Duration: 45 min.
A meeting in which true reality and theatrical reality constantly connect. Codes are being examined; two characters struggle with their desire for freedom and the consequences of admitting to it.
Credits
Director: Margit Odems
Writer: Maud Lazaroms
Set design: Trudy Hekman
Actors: Erwin Maas, Margit Odems
Costume Design: Dymph Boss
Light Design: Tim Vermeulen
Translation: Alexander Peterhans (Thanks to Bregje van den Elshout)
Special thanks to Ine te Rietstap & Trudi Maan
Duration: 45 min.
A meeting in which true reality and theatrical reality constantly connect. Codes are being examined; two characters struggle with their desire for freedom and the consequences of admitting to it.
Credits
Director: Margit Odems
Writer: Maud Lazaroms
Set design: Trudy Hekman
Actors: Erwin Maas, Margit Odems
Costume Design: Dymph Boss
Light Design: Tim Vermeulen
Translation: Alexander Peterhans (Thanks to Bregje van den Elshout)
Special thanks to Ine te Rietstap & Trudi Maan
DWAAL/ WANDER
Fact and fiction are important aspects of the work of Margit Odems (director), Trudy Hekman (designer) and Maud Lazaroms (playwright), both in form and content. The theme which is closely bound up with these subjects is 'identity'. Are the things we do actually what we want to do, and, do the words we say give utterance to what we really want to say? Are we maybe sincere and insincere at the same time?
Our environment has taught us ways to express ourselves, which have become little fragments of our personality. We are all part of an arranged system of social codes and it is within the boundaries of this system that we can seek for freedom.
Margit: "I do not like fake; I am looking for reality, honesty and truth. Although this is how I want the world to be, the codes of conduct provide us with a way of living in which it is difficult to determine what is real and what is not. Moreover, it has become very difficult to distinguish natural behaviour from what we have been taught during our lives.
My innermost desire is that none of these codes will stand between me and others. Then, I hope, the world will be how it should be. Nevertheless, this idea is rather utopian: in such a world there will be moments of tremendous intensity, moments when we will destroy each other and moments when we will be very sweet to each other. All nuance will disappear. It will be impossible to live with that."
Our environment has taught us ways to express ourselves, which have become little fragments of our personality. We are all part of an arranged system of social codes and it is within the boundaries of this system that we can seek for freedom.
Margit: "I do not like fake; I am looking for reality, honesty and truth. Although this is how I want the world to be, the codes of conduct provide us with a way of living in which it is difficult to determine what is real and what is not. Moreover, it has become very difficult to distinguish natural behaviour from what we have been taught during our lives.
My innermost desire is that none of these codes will stand between me and others. Then, I hope, the world will be how it should be. Nevertheless, this idea is rather utopian: in such a world there will be moments of tremendous intensity, moments when we will destroy each other and moments when we will be very sweet to each other. All nuance will disappear. It will be impossible to live with that."
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