FENCE
A brand-new show by Phare Ponleu Selpak in cooperation with theater der sprachfehler Battambang, September 20, 2019 – A brand new circus show called FENCE is to premiere at the Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS) campus Big Top on October 4, 2019. The new performance is the fruit of a new cooperation between the Performing Arts School and the Vienna, Austria based theater der sprachfehler. FENCE is the first project of the theater der sprachfehler in Asia. It’s being staged together with the students and artists of PPS in Battambang. FENCE indicates a separation. A fence always separates spaces, people, ages. What the director tries to construct through this play is a virtual reality reigned by an imaginary king, that is built on Cambodian and western symbols and traditions. Throughout the history of mankind people have always built up communities and societies, setting rules and instituting kings and governments. This show investigates the birth of such a structure, and questions whether it is necessary to abandon the concepts of good and bad if want to pursue a «Higher Cause» called prosperity. A group of young people meets in a circus tent. They have all heard the news and want to see the crowning of the new king. This emblematic figure named Vanara has been brought to them by a couple of strangers who arrived by plane. Also, the visitors have carried a bunch of circus-tools with them and offer them to the people of the village. The rise of King Vanara will bring new ideas, work and hope to the people. But the new institution will also pretend to set new rules, to build up new identities and to control the village’s people’s lives. Throughout a sequence of scenes that concern work, violence, love and the relationship between people that have been acquainted for years and suddenly realize their differences as they access the new reality brought by the king. “In the western world Cambodia is classified as a «developing» country. We’ve been attracted by this definition and wanted to know what inter-human relationships do look like. Also, as I have already lived and worked in Battambang for a few months in 2012, I was in contact with Phare Ponleu Selpak. This relation has made it possible to work together on this new project, FENCE.“ – said director Andreas Jaehnert. “What we have found in Cambodia is a reality that is very far from the Western – with its own challenges and opportunities – that entertains a very complex relation to the other Asian countries and to the Western NGOs and governmental institutions. Apart from that, if we look at the people and their everyday life, it is a country of immense richness that we can only respect.” – added co-director Christian Kuehne. “We got really excited about the idea of FENCE after our discussions with Andreas and Christian. The fence symbolizes the border to a new world. It represents the last hurdle that separates all nine actors from their dreams. The nine travelers who meet at the fence start talking to each other, and find out that they are fleeing an enemy, their innermost ghosts, a regime; each has its own reason for the journey, and it somehow unites them. It is a story we want to tell, since our founders, staff members and students have stories to add to this performance. And it makes it unique for us!” – said KHUON Chanreaksmey, Deputy Director of the Performing Arts School of PPS.
AuthorsDirectorCo-director
Andreas Jähnert, Christian Kühne Andreas Jähnert Christian Kühne
Video
Dara Chea, Christian Kühne, Andreas Jähnert
Cut
Dara Chea
Photo Credit
Christian Kühne
Artists
Mony Ratanaksambath, Nov Sreyleak, Brak Panhasothearith, Horn Vanna. Keo Lanin, Vorn Sreyneang, Ly Chamroeun, Boeng Phinak, Srey Chanpitou, Thia Smnang, Chan Thit, Sith Sitha, Krot Sovannara, Phorn Chhorda, Nem Tharo
Music
Chorng Sreypov, Dos Sela, Morm Sokhmera, Oun Vila
Teachers
Sam Monny, Nem Chanthoeun, Khuonthorn Chamroeun, Huot Heang
Translators
Kong Sotin, Khuon Chanreaksmey
To learn more about Phare Ponleu Selpak please visit our website, Facebook, Instagram page or Youtube channel.Further information: Eva Kiss Development and Communication Manager, PPS Email: eva.k@phareps.org; communication@phareps.org Phone: +855 96 370 6712
Eine Koproduktion theater der sprachfehler und Phare Ponleu Selpak
