Preview: Risk

Cirk La Putyka's newest production, Risk, offers spectators the dangerous discipline of flying knives and other feats of courage, along with international performers, live music and film screenings.

Established in 2009 under the direction of the actor, acrobat and puppeteer Rostislav Novák, the local contemporary-circus troupe blends big-top tradition with a more character-driven approach. For Cirk La Putyka, the theme, the story and the message are as important as the professional approach.

This original and very specific troupe has a stable position in the theater scene and has started to explore the rest of the world as well. Last year, Cirk La Putyka traveled quite a lot to perform abroad. After successful productions that to this day are reprised and permanently sold-out - for example La Putyka, which the ensemble premiered in April 2009, Up End Down, which debuted in December 2010, and last February's Slapstick Sonata - the circus company is about to introduce a new international project.

The inspiration and first impulses for Risk came from Novák. "It's about a year and a half ago when I was thinking and looking for a theme of our new project," he says. "I wondered why circus since time immemorial, whether new or the traditional, has dealt and played with the moment of risk. What happens when a person gets to the edge of this risky moment? After a while, I left risk in relation to circus and became increasingly interested in risk in our civil life, for example when it works as a driving engine, when on the contrary it's an obstacle and so on."

The new performance is full of contrasts, colors and emotions; it's the essence of fantasy, imagination and freedom of movement. The aim of the project is the search for new circus disciplines and the possibility of using new materials and staging techniques. It uses the puppet theater in relation to acrobatics and modern dance, live music on stage and unpretentious simple materials. This approach required a challenging period of rehearsals and preparations. The company has been rehearsing the new piece since March 2012.

Risk has been created in the frames of the project Lacrimae - a long and unique cooperation of top international ensembles. Corresponding with the idea of a triangle, the project was realized in Sweden by Circus Cirkör, France by Cahin Caha and here by Cirk La Putyka. "Lacrimae is a platform, under which these three companies fall, then three festivals and three colleges," Novák says. "The original idea was that the three performances would be identical in set design, but unfortunately it's not possible to compare financially with companies such as the Swedish one. Therefore three different performances have been created: Risk, Knitting Peace and Rose. The triptych includes some common aspects and procedures, although each show has its own theme. The joint project Lacrimae doesn't, however, end up with these premieres. It should continue as long as we have the inspiration and energy." The work in progress of these companies could be seen at the Letní Letná Festival in August, when every performance was sold out and appreciated not only by spectators but also reviewers.

Emerging international cooperation with top companies enhances the possibilities for Cirk La Putyka to succeed in foreign competition, to participate with its productions at the most prestigious festivals and theaters, where Czech ensembles haven't performed yet. Participation in Lacrimae is one of the artistic highlights of Cirk La Putyka's activities so far.

As with the other projects by Cirk La Putyka in previous years, Risk is also one of the most-awaited premieres of Czech dance theater season. And the company has another busy year ahead. Cirk La Putyka's schedule for 2013 is actually pretty full already. "Certainly we will try to repeat our summer project Chapiteaux; we will prepare other premieres, tours abroad, will rehearse a lot and invite new guests to work with us," Novák says. "I believe there's a lot of interesting work, meetings and fun waiting for us."

Johana Mücková can be reached at
features@praguepost.com