Dada von Bzdülöw theatre: several witty observations

Thursday-Sunday, November 16-19, 2006, 7:30 PM Friday- Sunday, November 24-26, 2006, 7:30 PM

La MaMa Annex Theater, 74 East 4th Street (between 2nd Avenue and The Bowery), New York, NY 10003
Tickets: General audience $20; Students $15 tel. 212-475-7710 or online: www.lamama.org

Dada von Bzdülöw Theatre make their U.S. debut at La MaMa E.T.C. with their acclaimed dance-theater work, Several Witty Observations (ŕ la Gombrowicz). Directed by Leszek Bzdyl, it explores some of the eccentric themes from the writings of celebrated Polish author Witold Gombrowicz, creating very much in his spirit a world that confronts the everyday with a poignant sense of fearless abandon. Presented as a series of intriguing character portraits, Several Witty Observations delves into a subversive display of the human condition. Inspired by Gombrowicz’s writing, Bzdyl’s interest here lies in the writer’s obsession with paradoxes – how self-identity is formed through the eyes of others, the complex nature of the adult self embracing immaturity, and the ideologies, conflicts and contradictions that define the individual in the world. The highly charged, idiosyncratic dancing is imbued with emotion and wry humor, as the dancers navigate a mischievous playground of confrontation and alienation in search of human connection. Several Witty Observations is choreographed and performed by Leszek Bzdyl, Katarzyna Chmielewska and Rafal Dziemidok. The work incorporates lighting design by Michal Kolodziej, and an ascetic, modernist set that consists of inflatable props by designer Maciej Chojnacki. The original music by Mikolaj Trzaska, one of Poland’s best jazz musicians, is a strong point of the project as well thanks to its brilliant integration with dance.

Special thanks to the City of Gdansk and the Office of the Marshall of Pomorskie Voivodeship.