Laughter, free drama at Prague fest

Despite being home to a rich cultural heritage, Prague has often evaded the festivities of street theater. That is, apart from the annual International Festival of Outdoor Theater and Clownery. Until July 24, some of the city's most prominent squares will play host to international acts from the worlds of physical theater and clownery.

The International Festival of Outdoor Theater and Clownery is in fact an amalgamation of two separate festivals. Fusing Za dveřmi (Behinds Doors, an outdoor theater organization) and Nultý bod (Zero Point, which specializes in clowning and physical theater) was a no-brainer, says festival spokesman Adam Ondráček.

"Zero Point is taking place for the fourth year and Behind Doors for the third," he says. "These genres are very close to each other, so there was a quick [decision to] do it together and make it big."

As a result, the double-header will present more than 25 performances from 11 countries across the globe. The overall aim, Ondráček says, is to animate Prague's city center in a way that's already traditional in other European capitals.

In particular, Ondráček cites Poland as a country in which street theater has survived and flourished over the centuries. July coincides with Kraków's own International Street Theatre Festival. Prague itself will be blessed with the presence of the Polish Teatr Kana - originally an art-therapy group for drug addicts - whose topics cover everything from meeting new people to deciding the fate of the world (July 22 at 9, Ovocný trh).

Meanwhile, legendary British mime and clown Nola Rae will perform her show "Exit Napoleon Pursued by Rabbits" - a project which Ondráček describes as "a new Chaplin's The Great Dictator." Rae studied under Marcel Marceau in Paris, and was honored by an MBE from the Queen of England in 2008. (July 22 at 7:30, Divadlo v Celetné)

Czech troupe Long Vehicle Circus - famed for their striped-pants stilt dancers - will appear on náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad (July 23 at 3). The troupe furthered its mass appeal last year when appearing on the TV show Česko Slovensko má talent.

Italian clown Paolo Nani brings his solo act "The Letter" to Divadlo v Celetné (July 24 at 7:30). The show, which tells the same story 15 times, each in a different style, has been described by critics as bearing the hallmarks of genius.

Although seating will be absent from all outdoor events, Ondráček is confident audiences will be so enchanted by the magic of the shows, they won't even notice.

"It is about freedom, for the audience and also for the artists," he says. "Several shows are even designed to move with the audience.

"I bet you will come and stay for whole show."

Will Noble can be reached at
wnoble@praguepost.com