National Theatre – LATERNA MAGIKA (CZ): Pluto 

Imagine four enthusiasts who have decided to start a motion capture studio. A brilliant idea? Could be, but for a little catch: filmmaking is all Greek to them.

So, welcome to Pluto! A film studio where virtually anything is possible and chaos is the only given. Meet Max the phlegmatic techie, Boss the manager – who sees not only the future in a blur –, Gorge the aspiring actor, and his lazy colleague Pietr. Together they have set on a mission to make a masterpiece of cinema … or at least a piece that won’t fall apart before they erect the green screen.

Pantomime is the main means of expression, a classic art form that once shone like a planet in the solar system but has been overshadowed by the limelight of film stars. The production team led by Thom Monckton, an award-winning New Zealand director, aims to present pantomime to the audience with joy, lightness, and cheerfulness  – creating whole worlds out of literally nothing.

Modern technologies are expanding so rapidly that even the professionals are struggling to keep up. Pluto explores the tension between ultimate technical accuracy, on one hand, and the utter human imperfection, on the other hand. To what extent do we control our world – and to what extent do we actually need to control it?

The Pluto heroes are equipped only with green overalls, miles of cables, and the belief that enthusiasm can get you anywhere, perhaps even to space…

WARNING: We use strobe lights and lasers during the performance.
Suitable for audiences from 8 years.

Creative team

Director: Thomas Monckton 
Music and sound design: Ivo Gregorec Sedláček 
Set and costumes: Marek Cpin 
Light design: Karel Šimek
AV design: Amador Artiga 
Rigging: Romana Stachovičová

Cast

Max: Vanda Hybnerová
Boss: Anna Polívková
George: Radim Vizváry
Peter: Trygve Wakenshaw