What a challangel!

Poetic slapstick about an unusual visit

Concept, direction and choreography: Veronika Poldauf RiedlbauchováStage design and costumes: Marianna StránskáMusic and sound design: Jan ČtvrtníkDramaturgy: Barbora Pokorná, Tomáš JarkovskýProduction: Barbora KalinováExecutive production: Martina Štětinová

Premiere: 29. 4. 2023

3+ Three years and above.

Cast

Imagine that one fine day an angel suddenly falls into your home. Right out of the blue. Just a moment ago he was flying somewhere above the clouds and suddenly he’s here. He doesn’t understand our world, he doesn’t know its rules, and he would like to return to where he came from. But how can he? How can we help him? Perhaps mother could tell us, but she somehow thinks we made the whole story up. But the angel is here. Everyone can see him, everyone can hear him, no one can overlook him. Or can they?

A new production bordering on poetic physical theatre and clownish slapstick by the established creative trio of Riedlbauchová – Stránská – Čtvrtník, which has already prepared a successful and award-winning production Bedtime! for Drak Theatre. In their new production, apart from Petra Cicáková and Luděk Smadiš, who have already abundantly displayed their extraordinary art of movement and sense for gags in Bedtime!, you will get to see the two youngest members of the Drak ensemble, Edita Dohnálková Valášek and Šimon Dohnálek.

In the media:

“A really strong experience (…) was the production of What a Challengel! bordering between physical theatre and clown grotesque. The simple plot (…) is developed by the actors into several brilliant and incredibly funny movement etudes, through which they work their way to a touchingly reconciliatory conclusion. Their surprisingly artistic performances are dominated by the ethereally stylized angel of Luděk Smadiš, and especially by Petra Cicáková, who possesses an unlimited range of grimaces as the tragicomically conceived mother figure. One of my picks for the acting performance of the year!”

Kateřina Kykalová, 25 June 2023, divadelni-noviny.cz, Ritual Regions (No. 2)