Adriatic: Polaris

3 - 25 AUGUST / EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL

The story of two men on an Antarctic pilgrimage. Meet heroes, fish, penguins, seals and snowstorms in a gripping Czech physical theatre tale of solitude and friendship, faith and hope, values and hardship, and waiting for help which never comes.

The production is inspired by adventure novels, young men's fantasies and the desire to discover unknown territories. Vojta Švejda and Jan Beneš-McGadie put together a meaning story mixing imagination and reality; two exhausted polar explorers are confronted by polar bears, seals, birds of passage and other inhabitants of the North Pole. Playfulness, wit and surrealistic moments mingle in a meaning story enchanting both adults and children.

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Adriatic: Vojta Švejda and Jan Beneš-McGadie:

Vojta Švejda (1976) graduated form the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. He is a popular mime artist and performer who has created many solo projects and cooperated with other outstanding theatre companies (e.g. Krepsko). He has performed in New York, Washington, Finland, Germany and Armenia and has won awards for a number of his performances.

Jan Beneš-McGadie (1974) graduated from the Duncan Centre Conservatory in Prague, Czech Republic, and continued his training at the Laban Centre, London. He, together with Vojta Švejda created The Bloody Cabinet of Dr. Schreck, Homework out of Diligence and Polaris. Besides careers in dance and drama, Jan is widely recognised as a talented and inspired lighting designer.

Jan Beneš-McGadie on Polaris: „Our performance style is based on subtle, precise expression which is born out of stillness and the act of waiting. We deal with the tensions between the inner movement of thought and the motionless body in surroundings, which never cease to move. Both characters thus embody the surreal imaginings which are brought forth in frozen and starving conditions from their troubled heads."

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ZOO Southside Venue
Zoo Southside, 117 Nicolson Street
01316626892
Grid ref: F6
Aug 3-5,7-12,14-19,21-25 18:35 (50mins) £7.00 (£5.00)

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For more information and interview requests contact:
Mr Jakub Cermak
jakubcermak@novasit.cz; mobile: +420 724 296 390
http: www.divadlo.cz/polaris


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POLARIS is part of Czech Republic @ the Fringe 2008, a Czech official national showcase at the Fringe organized by the Czech Centre (www.czechcentre.org.uk).

The official Czech season presentation takes place on the 15th of August at 3pm at the Assembly Hall, Edinburgh.

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Skutr: The Weepers
The Zoo Monkey House,
Preview Aug 2 17:20
Aug 3-13, 15-25 17:20

DOT 504 Holdin`Fast
The Zoo Southside,
Previews Aug 1-2 13:00
Aug 3-10, 12-17, 19-25
13:00

Theatre Neslysim
Gilded Balloon Teviot --
Wine Bar
Preview July 30, 31, Aug
1, 2:
August 5-7, 11-14
August 3, 4, 8,-10, 15- 17

TNF: Phantomysteria
The Old College Quad
Venue
Aug 5-9, 11-17, 19-25
22:00

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Events
• Culture
• Performing
• Arts

[StaticSplitScreen]

This was a wonderful show. I was really glad to be able to see it. Humourous, moving, and thought-provoking, all at once.

[felixchabluksmith]

I've just been to see this with a friend at the Fringe, and we were both amazed. Polaris is one of the best pieces of theatre I have ever seen: beautifully, charmingly and ingeniously acted, immensely touching and entertaining.