#21 Theatrocén – A Performance Like No Other: A Review of Charlie
In Brno’s Divadlo na Orlí, audiences recently had the rare opportunity to witness a unique dance performance centered around a performer with cerebral palsy. It offered a very personal insight into the daily life of a disabled person.
Charlie, whose real name is Károly Tóth, has been performing since the age of 17. His latest work offers a profound, unvarnished look at a reality that only few truly understand. At the start of the performance, an average member of the audience had to fight the urge to rush onto the stage and assist a seemingly helpless person. However, this reflex is quickly replaced by an understanding of a different kind of human experience. We are allowed to look at something intensely personal and private, sharing moments that might be considered impolite to stare at in everyday life. Charlie shows us how a person with cerebral palsy navigates through basic daily tasks without an assistant around.
Stage lighting mirrors this emotional journey. At the beginning, under bright lights, we are admitted observers, but as the performance continues and the lights gradually dim, we are drawn into a confession of the protagonist’s emotions. He entirely expresses them through his movements, which are limited by their range. Arms and legs are stiff, yet in certain situations we can witness more fluid movements on the floor or close to the wall.
Text napsal Peter Felix
