“Pinocchio by Collodi” performed by Elisabeth Zeindlinger.

Research output: Non-textual formDigital or Visual Products

Abstract

This is a research-based theatrical action, performed by one actor only, which follows Carlo Collodi’s “The Adventure of Pinocchio” in its integral version. The project was a response to an invitation by Teatro Talia (Tagliacozzo, L’Aquila) who produced the premiere in 2012. The production was supported by the Arts Council Northern Ireland. The research imperatives of this work move along two intersecting trajectories to examine how they connect and may implemented in practice. This is a methodological innovation. The first relates to re-enacting and revitalization of Grotowski’s latter experimentation of the performer’s energies, exploring and mapping the passages from the so-called coarse level (the “everyday level”, that is a heavy organic level linked to the forces of life, to sensuality, to instincts), to “a more subtle level”. This involves a personal exploration of different extra-daily dimensions of own body-mind states, experienced in a laboratory setting, to reach a so-called “inner action”. The second trajectory is in the dramaturgical design of the performance in relation to text and methodology of research, adapting a classic children tale to a personal journey – personal ‘mystery’ according to Grotowskian terminology. Director Giuliano Campo, with this performance ended a cycle of practice-based research works defined by exploration of the soul of the human being, operated with connecting experimentation on dramaturgy with acting work on the base of Grotowskian ‘Action’ modality, taken outside the original context of the Workcenter of Pontedera. This cycle began in November 2006 with “Action One”, a Zoroastrian Persian litany performed by actor Persis-Jade Maravala at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. “Pinocchio by Collodi” extended this original work with the performer to engagement with a pre-existing and familiar narrative text. This work used paratheatrical voice training techniques, improvisation creative processes and formalisation of physical scores, related to the personal history of the performer. As an Austrian facilitator in the psychiatric departments of a Belfast hospital, every segment was generated by this process and in relation to the case of Natascha Kampusch, an Austrian girl who was abducted at the age of ten and held in a cellar for more than eight years.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 7 Mar 2012

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of '“Pinocchio by Collodi” performed by Elisabeth Zeindlinger.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this