Show performed in English with Hungarian surtitles
"...a dazzling piece of theatre that makes us contemplate the endless cycle of human destruction but induces a sense of resignation rather than rousing us to action." (Michael Billington, The Guardian)
Three decades ago, Peter Brook’s production of the Mahabharata helped to redefine theatre. It not only made the ancient Sanskrit text available to a global audience but also proved a piece of epic theatre could be created out of the elementary ingredients of earth, fire and water. Now Brook and his long-time collaborator, Marie-Hélène Estienne, have returned to the same source and fashioned a remarkable 65-minute piece that is clearly intended as a parable for our times.
Using four actors and a musician, Brook and Estienne evoke the apocalyptic aftermath of a great war between rival members of the same family. Yudhishthira, the king of the Pandavas, confronts the fact that, with millions lying dead on the battlefield, victory feels like a defeat.
Based on the Mahabharata and the piece written by Jean-Claude Carrière
Adapted and directed by Peter Brook and Marie-Hélène Estienne
Music: Toshi Tsuchitori
Costumes: Oria Puppo
Lighting: Philippe Vialatte
With: Carole Karemera, Jared McNeill, Ery Nzaramba, Sean O’Callaghan
Musician: Toshi Tsuchitori
Production: C.I.C.T. - Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord
Coproduction: Young Vic Theatre; Les Théâtres de la ville de Luxembourg; PARCO Co. Ltd / Tokyo;
Grotowski Institute; Singapore Repertory Theater; C.I.R.T.; Attiki Cultural Society (tbc)
"...a dazzling piece of theatre that makes us contemplate the endless cycle of human destruction but induces a sense of resignation rather than rousing us to action." (Michael Billington, The Guardian)
Three decades ago, Peter Brook’s production of the Mahabharata helped to redefine theatre. It not only made the ancient Sanskrit text available to a global audience but also proved a piece of epic theatre could be created out of the elementary ingredients of earth, fire and water. Now Brook and his long-time collaborator, Marie-Hélène Estienne, have returned to the same source and fashioned a remarkable 65-minute piece that is clearly intended as a parable for our times.
Using four actors and a musician, Brook and Estienne evoke the apocalyptic aftermath of a great war between rival members of the same family. Yudhishthira, the king of the Pandavas, confronts the fact that, with millions lying dead on the battlefield, victory feels like a defeat.
Based on the Mahabharata and the piece written by Jean-Claude Carrière
Adapted and directed by Peter Brook and Marie-Hélène Estienne
Music: Toshi Tsuchitori
Costumes: Oria Puppo
Lighting: Philippe Vialatte
With: Carole Karemera, Jared McNeill, Ery Nzaramba, Sean O’Callaghan
Musician: Toshi Tsuchitori
Production: C.I.C.T. - Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord
Coproduction: Young Vic Theatre; Les Théâtres de la ville de Luxembourg; PARCO Co. Ltd / Tokyo;
Grotowski Institute; Singapore Repertory Theater; C.I.R.T.; Attiki Cultural Society (tbc)
