Philipsburg:--- On Friday and Saturday, December 9 and 10, Albina Matuzko and Sue Morrison, in collaboration with Imbali Center for Creative Movement, will be presenting a contemporary theatrical production for adults only called "Baba-Yaga".This production, which was developed by the Ukranian born, St. Maarten based Matuzko, who has been a participant of many international theatre festivals, and which is directed by the Canadian Master of the modern clowning Morrison, will be staged at the John Larmonie Center in Philipsburg at 8pm sharp.
Baba-Yaga is a mythological character which is well-known through Slavic lands as "mad, bad, dangerous, haglike and ugly. She lives in the forest, isolated and abandoned, grumbling, grouchy, wild and untameable. She is a figure used to frighten children into obedience."
Matuzko also said that her stage character Klusha, which is nothing more then the most deepest and crazy version of herself is fascinated by Baba-Yaga.
"She sympathizes with the lonely figure and her search for the humanity behind the terrifying images leads her to decide to create a fantastical tragic clown show about Baba-Yaga. Through her journey to create such a show, Klusha discovers that Baba-Yaga lives deep within Klusha herself, and so her fantastical tragic show becomes a completely different story than the one she intended to present," Matuzko explained.
"As in all fairy tales, Baba-Yaga here is not the focus, but a key to the plot. As a nature spirit, with her wisdom, wit, and ability to provoke wonders, another side of this dark-power figure, inner Baba-Yaga guides Klusha during her journey through her own fractured world, disordered and illuminated by memory and imagination. Discoveries are made. Things are lost. Through a powerful weave of laughter, tears and magic, Klusha reaches a moment of transcendence and transformation," Matuzko said.
According to Matuzko this is a must see production for those who are interested in seeing something different.This production is very human, very rich; it is art made for art's sake. She said that the production was first staged at the clownin International Women's Clown Festival in Vienna in November, 2010 and audiences were completely captivated by it.
"Baba-Yaga differs from what people expect of a clown show: there are no circus tricks, no slapstick, no traditional gags, and no mime. Baba-Yaga seeks to be an authentic, provocative display of innocence and experience. The play celebrates the sheer beauty of being human, being pure and honest," Matuzko said, "This form of modern clowns theatre tries to find a deep connection with the audience, as well as a creating a shared experience."
Clara Reyes, founder and director of Imbali Center for Creative Movement said that this was the first time that she could recall that such a production was being presented on St. Maarten and urged those interested in theatre to come out and support the show.
"At Imbali we always try to create opportunities of people to experience all different kinds of genres in the art world and with this production we are simply following in that vein. This is a enchanting piece and both Albina and Sue have done a great job preparing it for the St. Maarten audience. I would encourage people to come out and experience this type of production, but remember it may be too deep, philosophical and poetical for children's amusement and thus is being billed as an adult only show," Reyes said.
Audience members are encouraged to dress informally since the theatre space is one which will be specially constructed to accommodate the production.
Tickets for this event cost $15 and are available at Pete's Photo, Van Dorp (Madame Estate and Simpson Bay), Imbali Center for Creative Movement, Top Carrot, Candy Man Shop, Tamarin Hotel, :'Esperance Hotel, French side: from Theirry Gumbs and Audrey Depute and also the cast.
