Artists & Projects Directory
Kassys
After the stunning success of the U.S. tours of KOMMER, Kassys returns with their recent work, LIGA for limited engagements in October 2008 (Hazlett Theater, Pittsburgh) and January 2009 (Public Theater, NYC).
LIGA-- 50% reward & 50% punishment-- begins at the end. The audience views a video in which a group of
actors exit the stage and greet their director, one by one. The highs and lows of the just-completed
performance are re-lived as the actors enthusiastically congratulate, compliment,
and console each other. With practiced
professionalism, negative experiences are stashed away and disappointments
denied. Then each actor leaves for home.
The performance follows. In a live
"flashback" the actors perform their play. We meet five characters: young, playful and
easy to influence. While unsure how to
behave, their human need to conform makes them susceptible to manipulation. In a mush of directing, the characters learn "to
pretend." With acted conviction and
taught spontaneity they succeed. Meanwhile,
the live audience is implicated in creating their plastic world, and left
wondering just what kind of performance these actors are learning to give.
LIGA has been
performed throughout The Netherlands and Belgium, where it was a selection of
the 2007 Flemish Theaterfestival. The
Festival jury noted, "In the film and on stage a series of plain
hilarious scenes grow into a unique composed analyses of human life. Kassys does this with so much discerning
aplomb and an ingenious scenario.... Theater which is too rare: smart,
almost without words, generous and funny, inspired and with a very genuine and
original signature."