[Olga Kaleta]

Garden Party was performed by the ensemble of 8 performers (by Compagnie numero 8). The relationships with the audience have been quite fluid throughout the performance. The show is episodical, with the suggested environments changing from scene to scene. The first scene presents a scenario of a high-class garden party. It offers a sense of us all being part of the action with a very subtle participation. The cast exchanges terrible jokes with each other maintaining an eye contact with the audience whilst responding with highly stylised laughter. This offers an ambiguous sense of belonging in the scene but not quite at the same basis as the cast. This I believe gives quite an accurate representation of how each of us might feel if they would suddenly find themselves surrounded by a bunch of representatives of an upper class. This style of relationship between the audience and the performers is maintained for the duration of the performance. The performance happens at two different levels simultaneously. The performers are acting representatives of un upper class, that are constantly acting out their status, for the audience and for each other. It gives the audience sense of “peeping” on the action with a full consent from the “party guests”. This really emphasises the notion of “us and them” in the world represented in the performance. This, however, causes the audience to seek allies amongst each other. Prompted by the outrageous behaviour of the performers highlighting the absurdity, injustice and superficial nature of the represented world, the audience members are more likely to exchange a glance or a smile with a stranger. The sense of the shared experience is enhanced in a very organic way.

[Olga Kaleta]

Hello everyone,

My name is Olga and I’m an artist based in South West of UK at the brick of England and Wales.

I’m very inspired by Cornwall based company Wild Works Theatre.They work is always profoundly rooted in the place, its history, the people and their individual stories, the architecture and the landscape. Through this approach they create work that carries a value to the communities they work with. I’m inspired by their ability to create work that so beautifully brings the past and the future into the celebration of the present.

I’m also inspired by a Compagnie N* 8 for their ability to balance beautifully between entertainment and provocation. Absolutely brilliant!

xxx

[Author]

Posts