Coughing, Laughing, Dancing and Thinking for a Long Time
Not Found is an original production by three performers from the Dimitri Academy in Switzerland, which, in addition to the theme, also seeks answers to a number of questions. The summary of the production describes a state in which we long to know as many answers as possible, but the multitude of them overwhelms us and we get lost in new and new question-ending formulations. And that is exactly what the production is. It was created based on a single request that the students were given. Create the performance you want to create right now!
Right at the beginning, the creators defined the nature of the production. The coughing among the audience, which flowed seamlessly into the humming and other vocal modulations, served as a scudding effect (Verfremdungseffekt in the original) that broke down the fourth wall. As soon as the actors left the audience space, the struggle for the story, symbolized by the book placed in the middle of the stage, began. The main idea of the production, however, remained hidden from the audience, and the further development of the performance was determined by the performers themselves. The comically tuned beginning transformed into equally funny and repeated movement sequences, accompanied by witty, but meaningless sentences (in the production, English, Arabic, Italian and Spanish are heard). Logically, then, the question began to arise: What the hell is this supposed to be about? Instead of answering this question, however, at one point the audience itself becomes a part of the stage action, and more questions are added to those already voiced: Why the hell am I dancing along with the actors? What’s the point? Does this tell me something?
Enjoy the moment and don’t overthink it! This could also be the message conveyed by the first part of the production, but the creators continued their statement further. One of the actors begins to analyse his feelings, and in so doing, raises difficult issues that affect his mental state and bring up topics such as: racism, dehumanisation, the bombing of hospitals and schools, and war. The direction of the production thus took a diametrically different direction. A humorous first part calling for the carefree enjoyment of life, versus a finale that brings many appeals. The form of the production is very free, which creates room for constant, updating and pointing out more and more problems of mankind.
Along the lines of Brechtian epic theatre, the creators left us alone in the auditorium with issues raised - only the two toy barking dogs “enjoyed” the applause. Their barking constantly echoes in my ears, where the message of this production sounds just as loud. This short report cannot convey the total experience, but I believe that many more people will be happily repeating the dance moves and then reflecting on the issues and questions raised.
