The Conference of the Birds
A new theatrical adventure from the Forman Brothers Theater, inspired by the work of Persian mystic Faríduddín Attár (1145–1221).
An allegorical tale of birds who long to find the true meaning of all things and restore peace and tranquility to the world. Actors and dancers from many countries around the world embark on a long journey to find a new king. On a journey full of adventure, they also look deep into their own hearts. Conceived as a journey to the self, the performance creates its own world based on the power of imagery, evocative movement, and an impressive atmosphere.
In addition to traditional theatrical means such as costumes, puppets, masks, and distinctive scenography, the creators use a system of powerful projectors to play animations on large-format projections. The images thus achieve extraordinary intensity and allow the audience to “fly” with the bird heroes through the vast space of the tent and become part of their story.
The original mobile tent, specially made for Ptačí sněm, measures 32.5 x 20 meters and has a reinforced floor weighing 52 tons. The interior, with seating for 334 spectators, is uniform and without supporting columns. This creates a perfect connection between the stage and the auditorium, as well as space for richly staged scenes and large decorations.
Don’t forget that entering the world of the Forman Brothers Theater means embarking on exciting journeys swept by the winds of poetry.
Director: Petr Forman
Screenplay: Ivan Arsenjev, Petr Forman, Jean Claude Carriére
Animation and art: Josef Lepša
Set design: Josef Lepša, Petr Forman
Music: Simon Thierrée (FRA)
Costumes and masks: Josef Lepša, Lenka Polášková
Expert guide to Attar’s world: Nora Sequardtová
Representatives of the bird world:
Marek Zelinka, Manuel Ronda (ITA), Rob Hayden (USA), Francois Brice (FRA), Milan Herich (SVK), Maureen Bator (FRA), Daniel Raček (SVK), Petr Forman, Veronika Švábová, Tereza Krejčová, Miroslav Kochánek, Zuzana Sýkorová, Petr Goro Horký, Ivan Arsenjev, Martin Štourač / Petr Vinecký, Philippe Leforestier (FRA) / Štěpán Pařízek, David Pražák, Hani Rabenhauptová
Voice of the Raven: Vladimír Javorský
Voice of the Old Man: Miroslav Krobot
Voices of the Persian Girl: Laya Khanjani (IRN)
Voice of the Narrator: Petr Forman
Costume Technology and Production: Lenka Polášková, Michaela Mayrová
Mask and Wing Technology and Production: Vjačeslav Zubkov, Stáňa Stuchlá, Hani Rabenhauptová, Jana Lábrová
Technology, production and painting of scenery and decorations:
Jaromír Vlček, Zdeněk Palme, Míra Polák, Radim Kollega, Vjačeslav Zubkov, Lenka Polášková, Michaela Mayrová, Jana Novotná, Kateřina Soukupová, Tereza Komárková, Stáňa Stuchlá, Barka Zichová, Martin and Renata Lhotákovi, Josef Sodomka, Radomír Čahoun Vosecký, Petr Goro Horký, Ivan Zobák Pelikán, Jiří Chramosta, Jan Niesyt, Martin Fuchs, Pavel Kaňkovský, Petr Šebesta, Mikuláš Müller
3D model design: Oldřich Jindřich
Projection concept: Panasonic Connect Europe – Ben Mitchell (AUS) and Zdeněk Krýsl, PolarBee – Adam Špinka, Jakub Hanuš
Lighting concept: Petr Forman, Petr Baštýř, Igor Schmidt
Sound concept: Philippe Leforestier (FRA), Michal Holubec
Recording and sound effects: Michal Holubec, Philippe Leforestier (FRA), Simon Thierrée (FRA)
Lighting and projection control: David Pražák
Sound control: Philippe Leforestier (FRA)
Tent concept and design: Petr Forman, Josef Lepša
Technical documentation and tent statics: SARL C3 SUD-EST (FRA)
Tent and grandstand construction: Atelier Gest (FRA)
Tent covering production: Special Textile France (FRA)
Stage and supporting structures production: Tomáš Pleticha, Martin Maleček, Martin Fuchs, Pavel Kaňkovský, Martin Florek, MAF (Ostrava)
Expert advisors and inventors: Radim Kollega, Romuald Simonneau (FRA), Míra Polák
Expert advisors on flying: Láďa Lahoda, Jindřich Klaus
Production manager: Pavla Kormošová
Executive production: Hani Rabenhauptová, Jana Lábrová, Anna Chlíbcová
PR: Dana Favaro, Júlia Pecková
Production of the premiere and reruns in Prague:
Anna Chlíbcová, Lucie Mlejnková, Adam Pokorný, Michal Vasiľ, Ondřej Dědeček, Dominik Sosnovec, Mikuláš Rieder, Ivan Zobák Pelikán
Translations: Bertrand Schmitt, Peter Gaffney, Martin Pokorný
Graphic design: Štěpán Malovec, Josef Sodomka, Kristýna Krejčová
Photos and video recordings: Irena Vodáková, Jana Lábrová, Michal Vasiľ
Faithful accomplice: Jean Michel Puiffe (FRA)
Guardian of the nest: Jan Blaško
Thanks for your support and cooperation:
Omar Carrum (MEX), Horacio Macuacua (MOZ), Paola Madrid (MEX), Elena Fokina (RUS), Kateřina Štefková, Michal Kern, Jan Cina, Anna-Barbora Blašková, Sidon Schlehr, Daniel Kříž, Luděk Tůma, Petr Kasal, Caroline Simpson Smith (FRA), Louis Bosquillon (FRA), Aurélia Hulst (FRA), Petr Likeš, Hana Grůzová, Jan Valchář, David Voverka, Kateřina Ostrejšová, Jan Zámečník, Jan Fidler, Lukáš Jandač, Lukáš Bürgermeister, Václav Hejduk, Karel Svoboda, Jonatan Müller, Yasin Keymanesh (IRN), Soroush Sanaei (IRN), Jan Vlasák, Ondřej Kohout, Adam Martinec, Filip Kettner, Zdeněk Kašpárek, Martin Zich, Hanuš Salz, Marie and Koko, Cédric Bach (CH), Aziz Jahić, Matěj Forman, Jitka Barnetová, František Vyskočil