Kitch
The Oath
Photo: Nada Žgank
Kitch and Bunker Institute
Première: 28. 1. 2016, The Old Power Station Ljubljana
Running time 1 hour 15 minutes. No interval.
Author of concept Kitch
Advisors Bojan Jablanovec, Andreja Kopač, Katarina Stegnar
Choreographers Teja Drobnjak, Evin Hadžialjević, Sara Janašković, Eva Lah, Tanja Sabol
Sound designers and transmitors Jure Vlahovič/Rok Kovač
Music fragments and remakes of songs by various artists
Singing instructor Nataša Nahtigal
Costume designer Mateja Fajt
Makeup artist Tina Prpar
Author of space and lighting concept, graphic designer Kitch
Lighting conductor, technical coordinator Andrej Petrovčič
Photo-documentator Nada Žgank
Video-documentators Urša Bonelli Potokar, Valerie Wolf Gang
Cast
Hosts Nenad Jelesijević, Lana Zdravković
Dancers Teja Drobnjak, Evin Hadžialjević, Olivera Milašinović, Bela Pikalo, Tanja Sabol
Waiters Žan Mrhar, Gal Oblak
Tonight, dreams are allowed. Tomorrow is a new day. What happens when two newcomers from the Balkans take this epic wisdom dead serious? The Oath will give you all while demanding nothing in return. Welcome to our kafana, and let the party start!
Although you will be longing for a conceptual theatrical piece, you will find yourself in an atmosphere where you will be able to relax and search for the sense, from the tablecloth on. You will enjoy the ultimate sounds of the Balkans, perhaps occasionally checking whether anyone is watching you. From the safety and convenience of your seat, you will be witnessing a tragicomic solemn act that you will most likely never have to experience yourselves. You need to attend The Oath, since
tomorrow is a new day – no matter how many drinks we will have.
While the whole kafana dances in a wild rhythm, the questions are rising: what would have happened if its music repertoire represented Slovene songs of that kind of genre, what do the songs tell us and what are the connotations of public use of Slovene language as used by performers [they speak in Serbian, the songs are in Serbian]. The entertainment is for someone at the top, while others are sitting pinned down to their chairs thinking that something's, however, not right.
But what?
(Petra Tanko: OnThe Oath, Oder, Radio Slovenia – Programme Ars, 2 Feb 2016)
The Oath was happening in a Serbian kafana, where you sing, talk and especially drink. You talk – said slightly ironically – on your experience of changing the state.Hundred Toasts [of Via Negativa] were on the other hand toasted on the occasion of Slovenia's official cultural holiday. Both performances were based on toasting by us, spectators. One rises a romantic idea of art and artist would lift one's brows over the events. We who don't care much for romantics know two
possibilities to survive: cooperate cynically in the process of degradation, or drink together with those who love art.
(Ana Schnabl: Cheers to Slovene art, Dnevnik, 11 Feb 2016)
In terms of form, it is an inventive performative event on a border between cabaret, musical and an interactive theatre performance. It expresses its messages right in that mixture of styles, yet in a manner of a loop-feedback.
(Petra Tanko: Performance The Oath, Oder, Radio Slovenia – Programme Ars, 12 Apr 2016)
Photo: Nada Žgank
Photo: Nada Žgank
Photo: Nada Žgank
