A stage production inspired by TV's|'Big Brother' owes something to '1984| and George Orwell as well
Director and choreographer Nir de Volff has chosen Bangkok to unveil his new work, "The Ministry of Truth", but it has more to do with television's "Big Brother" than Orwell's scary warnings about politics.
"I was inspired by what I heard about the energy of the city, even before I came here," says the Tel Aviv-born and Berlin-based artistic director of Total Brutal Dance Company.
"People told me it's a crazy place on a superficial level, so I was immediately attracted. Then I started reading about the history of Thailand and following the news about Bangkok. It's not as peaceful as it seemed at first, and this is something I like dealing with - conflict.
"Plus there's the phenomenon of ladyboys that I'm curious to work with. It isn't easily understood in the West.
"I wonder, if Darwin were alive today, whether he'd be able to deal with such an in-between species. I thought maybe they're the future of human beings, and that there must be something very weird or dark that would make them fit into the 'Big Brother' realm."
Backed by the Goethe Institut, de Volff has been in residence at the Patravadi Theatre since late December. His opening workshop drew 45 professional dancers and actors - but no katoey, "because of the high level of physicality I work with", although he reckons anyone can dance.
"I was surprised that many capable dancers here can't just deform their bodies into the movements I work with. I ended up working with just two actors."
Along with de Volff, the cast of "Ministry" features an Israeli dancer, an Israeli acrobat and four Thais - an acrobat and an actress from Patravadi Theatre, an actor who used to work with Scenario, and, yes, a ladyboy.
"Each has a very clear character, and it's like a family tree, with branches that go here and there and sometimes get tangled.
"Almost everything that's going to be onstage is based on their personal reality. Sometimes it's very hard or deep, other times it's funny, nonsensical or superficial, and that's life."
The inspiration for "Ministry" came from the TV reality show "Big Brother", though the title comes from George Orwell's grim novel "1984", with its all-seeing government surveillance, known as Big Brother. The play's original title was "On Air", de Volff explains.
"It was a direct reference to the sign in front of a TV studio, but I think 'Ministry of Truth' is more about what we're doing here."
The director's approach and concept appear innovative, but de Volff refuses to call this work "revolutionary".
"Nobody is doing revolutions anymore, but the way I present my work, I think, is very fresh and honest."
CROSS THE RIVER
- "The Ministry of Truth" will be staged at the Patravadi Theatre in Thonburi on March 5 and 6 at 8.
- Tickets are Bt400 (Bt200 for students) at www.TotalReservation.com. Call (02) 833 5555.
- Find out more at Min-of-Truth.blogspot.com and www.TotalBrutal.net.
- Nir de Volff will conduct another workshop on the March 6 before the show.
WIN YOUR TICKETS!
- Ten pairs of tickets for the Friday show are up for grabs. E-mail us at ntlife@nationgroup.com by Monday at 6pm, explaining in 50 words or less what "The Ministry of Truth" means to you. The winners' names will be published on Wednesday.
