MOLIÈRE’S DON JUAN

10 November 2014 | DCS2014

Maladype Theatre (Budapest)
Bertolt Brecht
MOLIÈRE’S DON JUAN
Directed by Sándor Zsótér

Even for those who have never read or seen any Don Juan stories in their lives, the name Don Juan means the tempter, the irresistible type of man. But where does this charm come from? Nice appearance? Gentility? Money? Nice words? Disarming gall? Extravagance? The excitement of sin and viciousness?
Brecht turns this around – he does not concentrate on the figure of Don Juan but on the motives that make us create Don Juans.

Sándor Zsótér, dramaturge, actor and director, and winner of the Hungarian Kossuth-award. His performances are called ‘Zsótér-like’, which shows that by creating a strong canon he again and again radically questions the meaning of the theatrical paradigm. The Zsótér effect of the past decade has changed the situation of theatre interpretation and enjoyment, and his performances manage to modify the norm in the most difficult aspects: the hierarchic connection between written and spoken texts; the way the theatrical body is placed in space; and in freedom of understanding.

Maladype Theatre – founded in 2001 – works as an independent theatrical company with permanent members and a creative team. Independence also, is the essence of its activity and the core of its theatrical concept. Maladype is a company capable of redefining itself, acquiring new perceptions, positioning itself in new contexts and considering changes as natural elements of creating theatre. The company is deliberately looking for surprising opportunities of theatrical and non-theatrical locations and unusual theatrical solutions. Reaction from the spectator – which is free from traditional theatrical expectation and classical behaviour – is a must. Unique theatrical language and reflection are characteristic features of Maladype. The company focuses on the actors’ intensive common work and continuous communication with the audience.
The performances of Maladype Theatre, created under the direction of Zoltán Balázs (director and artistic leader) elicit considerable professional reaction, and the company of Maladype has become one of the most exciting, high quality independent formations of the theatrical world of Hungary.

Directed by Sándor Zsótér
Translated by Júlia Ungár

Cast
Ákos Orosz Don Juan
Zoltán Lendváczky Sganarelle, his servant
Norbert Nagy Don Luis Tenorio, Marphurius, Colin, Don Carlos, The Komtur’s statue, La Violette
Erika Tankó Donna Elvira (in the morning), Mathurine, Berthelot, Nanny, Serafine
Rita Kerkay Donna Elvira (in the evening), Charlotte
Márton Pallag Guzman, Pieter, Beggar, Angelot, Don Alonso, Ragotin, Lord Dimanche

Set design Mária Ambrus
Costume design Mari Benedek
Dramaturge Júlia Ungár
Production manager Katalin Balázs

120’

maladype.hu

The reproduction on the floor and the ceiling is of Salvador Dalí’s painting, Dalí and Gala flying to the sky. The sofa with the floral pattern and the standing lamp were made by applied artist Gabriella Lukács.

The permission of Bertolt Brecht’s legatees was mediated by Suhrkamp Verlag and Hofra Ltd.

30 November 2014 9.00 pm – Modern Art Gallery

photo: Balázs Czitrovszky