TR Warszawa and Teatr Narodowy
Nosferatu
Inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula
For immediate release: Wednesday 18 July 2012 Barbican Theatre, Barbican Centre, London, UK
Wednesday 31 October – Saturday 3 November 2012 Press night: Wednesday 31 October 2012, 9pm
One of the international highlights of the Barbican Theatre’s 2012 programme, Poland’s TR Warszawa return to the Barbican on Halloween with Grzegorz Jarzyna’s production of Nosferatu. The show’s UK debut marks TR Warszawa’s third visit to the Barbican, having last performed here in 2010 with Jarzyna’s critically acclaimed production of Sarah Kane’s 4:48 Psychosis and T.E.O.R.E.M.A.T.
Nosferatu is a dark enthralling interpretation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, a masterpiece of Gothic horror and one of the most evocative texts in popular culture, having spawned countless works of literature, drama and film since its publication in 1897. The novel boasts one of the most sinister characters ever created, Count Dracula, the father of all vampires trapped between life and death, whose diabolical passions prey upon the innocent and the beautiful.
Seducing his audience into a dream-like state, Grzegorz Jarzyna uses the vampiric myth of life after death and the regenerative power of blood in this psychological and metaphysical thriller. Nosferatu explores the conflict between the fear of the unknown entrenched in human nature and our enduring fascination with dark secrets, obsessions and the need for transgression.
Multi award-winning company TR Warszawa has garnered a reputation over the last decade as one of the most compelling companies in Poland, searching for a new language of theatrical expression through both innovation and the preservation of tradition. The company’s artistic director, Grzegorz Jarzyna, is internationally renowned for his provocative reinterpretations of classic plays and adaptations of challenging contemporary texts.
Collaborating with Jarzyna for the first time is influential avant-garde musician John Zorn, who composed the score which was released as an album in April 2012. Part of the downtown music movement in mid-1970s New York, John Zorn has since composed and performed across the musical spectrum including a number of film scores. The creative team of Magdalena Maciejewska (set and costume design), Jacqueline Sobiszewski (lighting), Bartek Macias (video) and Rita Czapka (dramaturgic consultation) have collaborated with Jarzyna on many previous productions. The cast of nine comprises Jan Englert, Krzysztof Franieczek, Jan Frycz, Marcin Hycnar, Sandra Korzeniak, Lech Łotocki, Wolfgang Michael, Katarzyna Warnke, Adam Woronowicz and Jacek Telenga.
Nosferatu opens on Halloween (31 October) with a press performance at 9pm, which will be followed by a series of late night Halloween-themed events in the Barbican foyers. Grzegorz Jarzyna will lead a Weekend Lab on 3 – 4 November where participants will have the opportunity to discover his distinctive approach through the study of classic Greek texts.
Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau’s classic silent film, Nosferatu, A Symphony of Terror(Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens ) will be screened in Cinema One on Saturday 3 November with live musical accompaniment by Paul Robinson, and introduced by Grzegorz Jarzyna.
Feature writers please note: there is an opportunity to see Nosferatu at Teatr Narodowy in Warsaw on 16 October 2012.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Press Information
For further information, images or to arrange interviews contact the Barbican Theatre and Dance press office: Bridget Thornborrow , Media Relations Manager – Theatre and Dance +44 207 382 7168 bridget.thornborrow@barbican.org.uk Hélène Muron, Media Relations Officer – Theatre and Dance +44 207 382 7399 helene.muron@barbican.org.uk
Nosferatu TR Warszawa Written and directed by Grzegorz Jarzyna Set design and costumes by Magdalena Maciejewska Music by John Zorn Lighting design by Jacqueline Sobiszewski Video by Bartek Macias Dramaturgic consultation by Rita Czapka Poland Performed in Polish with English surtitles Wednesday 31 October – Saturday 3 November 2012, 7.45pm (9pm on 31 Oct), Barbican Theatre 110 mins / no interval £16 – 35 Age guidance: 16+ Barbican After Dark Halloween Special: Wednesday 31 October, 7pm – 1am Pre-show talk: Thursday 1 November, 5pm Weekend lab: Saturday 3 – Sunday 4 November Film: Nosferatu, A Symphony of Terror (Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens) (Germany 1922 Dir. F.W. Murnau 84 min) with live musical accompaniment by Paul Robinson and introduced by Grzegorz Jarzyna, Saturday 3 November, 4pm Press night: Wednesday 31 October, 9pm
Co-commissioned by the Barbican with Narodowy Instytut Audiowizualny, Dublin Theatre Festival, Adelaide Festival and TR Warszawa Foundation Strategic partner Adam Mickiewicz Institute Barbican After Dark Halloween Special supported by the Polish Cultural Institute
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About the Barbican A world-class arts and learning organisation, the Barbican pushes the boundaries of all major art forms including dance, film, music, theatre and visual arts. Our creative learning programme further underpins everything we do. In 2012 we celebrate the Olympic year with many of our projects forming part of London 2012 Festival – it is also our 30th Birthday year. Over 1.5 million people pass through our doors annually, hundreds of artists and performers are featured, and more than 300 staff work onsite. Our architecturally renowned centre opened in 1982 and comprises the Barbican Hall, the Barbican Theatre, the Pit, Cinema One (with Cinemas Two and Three opening in Beech Street in autumn 2012), Barbican Art Gallery, a second gallery The Curve, foyers and public spaces, a library, Lakeside Terrace, a glasshouse conservatory , conference facilities and three restaurants.
